Price Transparency: What Patients Really Want From Their Medical Bills

Some providers have looked to online patient-facing tools that can generate more consumer-friendly estimates and provide a better patient experience.

Accuracy is key to making estimates valuable, not only to increase patient trust and satisfaction but also to enable meaningful discussions around collections. Providers should ensure the estimator tool is truly driving high accuracy results, drawing on and synthesizing robust data to create the most accurate estimates for patients.

Customized outreach is also important. For example, some patients value short reminders of open balances via text, while others may prefer a phone call or email. More convenient and tailored billing options make it easier to pay on time, leading to less financial stress for patients and providers alike.

Providers would benefit by offering easy-to-understand patient statements and offering flexible, convenient payment options, such as online portals or text.