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Frequently Asked Questions
General/Consumer Questions
What is MedCare Compare?
MedCare Compare is an online tool for consumers to compare health care providers’ services apples-to-apples. MedCare Compare empowers consumers to be more informed about their health care options and to take an active role in the decision-making process. It also provides tools to assist health care providers.
How much does it cost to become a member of MedCare Compare?
Providers join at no cost so there is no barrier to entry. Consumers may purchase a 12-month membership to MedCare Compare for $25. (Volume discounts are available for employers, associations and other groups.)
How do I become a member of MedCare Compare?
There are four distinctly different membership types on MedCare Compare (Consumer, Employer and Provider). So, before you join, it is important to first determine which type of membership you need:
- Consumer Members: a patient; a consumer of health care products and services
- Employer Members: any companies, associations or groups who choose to purchase memberships for their employees or members.
- Provider Members: any health care provider groups (clinics, hospitals, doctor offices, facilities, etc.) who choose to participate in MedCare Compare's mission by providing their cost, quality, safety and other information about their provider group and posting it on this web site.
- Partner Members: insurance brokers, health care consultants and others that promote MedCare Compare to their clients.
What if my health care insurance changes mid-year?
Your MedCare Compare membership is based on the health care plan you tell us you have when you enroll. In the event that your insurance plan changes midway through your MedCare Compare membership year, you may continue searching based on your old insurance plan; or you may change your insurance plan to view the "uninsured" reimbursement rates; or access information specific to your new insurance plan, you will need to secure a new Consumer membership.
How does MedCare Compare differ from other ‘comparison sites’?
The data on Medcare Compare is supplied directly by the health care providers, so it is trustworthy. Most other sites do not involve the health care providers in supplying the information.
MedCare Compare is the only site that gives Consumer access to their insurance-specific actual cost for health care services. Most other sites share general price ranges. MedCare Compare allows consumers to search by specialty and by service. Furthermore, it is the only site that allows consumers to request a good faith estimate for a specific service they need for their specific condition. Most other sites do not have these functionalities.
Health Care Provider Questions
Why should my organization join MedCare Compare?
Health care providers can join MedCare Compare and complete key information regarding their organization, including locations, services, practitioners, costs, quality and more. MedCare Compare also offers health care providers an easy way to answer their patients' inquiries about health care service costs, as required by MN Statute 62J.81. Provider members may utilize MedCare Estimate™ to generate a written good faith cost estimate for any of their patients who inquire about service costs.
What will it cost to add my practitioners, locations, cost and other information to MedCareCompare.com?
Health care provider groups are invited to join MedCare Compare at no charge.
Employer/Group Purchase Questions
Why would MedCare Compare be important to me as an employer?
Many employers are making the switch to a high deductible health plan for their employees. MedcareCompare.com allows subscribers to locate and compare health care providers based on, cost, convenience, services and more. You may be shocked to learn that health care services can vary in price by as much as 300% from one provider to another! MedCare Compare’s web site is the only single-source for obtaining insurance-specific health care cost information within seconds.
What will it cost for me to purchase MedCare Compare memberships for my employees?
For less than the cost of the traditional health insurance co-pay, you can provide your employees with a one-year membership to MedCare Compare.
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