Research on Provider Cost Transparency Published

In a new article published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, researchers sought to determine whether presenting providers with cost information at the point of order entry significantly influenced imaging utilization. Using data from fiscal year 2007, the 10 most frequently ordered imaging tests were identified. Five of these were randomly assigned to the active cost display group and 5 to the control group. During a 6-month baseline period from November 10, 2008, to May 9, 2009, no costs were displayed. During a seasonally matched intervention period from November 10, 2009, to May 9, 2010, costs were displayed only for tests in the active group. At the conclusion of the study, the radiology information system was queried to determine the number of orders executed for all tests during both periods. The main outcome measure was the mean relative utilization change between the control and intervention periods for the active group vs the control group.

Researchers found that there was no significant difference between the active cost display group and the control group, indicating that provider cost transparency alone does not significantly influence inpatient imaging utilization. While this research was conducted entirely within one specialty, there may be significant implications for value-based insurance design, and shared decision-making. If providers acting on their own are not influenced by cost data when making decisions, the role of patients and their families may become even more important.