"Making this information accessible is an innovative step, and we urge consumers to use the data, talk with their healthcare providers, and seek out additional resources to help them make the right decisions for themselves and their families," said Romney.
Each year, the state collects extensive data about the quality and cost of healthcare services provided in Massachusetts. This information could be of great value to consumers but has historically remained within state health agencies.
To make sure healthcare consumers are able to take advantage of the information, Romney proposed earlier this year that the state design and launch a consumer-friendly website that includes up-to-date information on the cost and quality of medical services provided across the Commonwealth. The site, located at www.mass.gov/healthcareqc, went live today.
"The website launched today is a giant leap forward in transforming the health care system for consumers by providing clear information on cost and quality," said Dr. Marylou Buyse, president of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans. "In healthcare today, even ordinary procedures can have extraordinary variations in quality and cost. This new website will enable consumers to finally make good, informed choices about the best places to receive their care."
While a handful of states provide information regarding the quality of health services, Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to also provide cost data.
The website, which currently provides quality and cost measures for more common procedures and conditions, will be expanded to include a broader range of ailments. The site will eventually include information on nursing homes, physicians, ambulatory surgery centers and pharmacies.
"It is critical that citizens have access to the same types of health information that state officials have," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tim Murphy. "Working towards greater transparency benefits consumers and helps to strengthen our entire healthcare system."
Quality indicators for hospitals include risk-adjusted mortality rates as well as clinical guidelines developed by federal agencies. The methodology for determining service quality came from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Cost indicators were developed by the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, a state agency that collects cost and charge information from Massachusetts hospitals.
