STATEHOUSE (Oct. 8, 2024) – Area legislators encourage Hoosiers to take advantage of a new state website to compare health care prices and quality.
In 2020, state lawmakers passed a law establishing the newly launched Indiana All Payer Claims Database, which is overseen by the Indiana Department of Insurance, to help increase transparency in health care costs. The website collects insurance claims data from public and private health care payers to track the cost, utilization and quality of health care across the state.
"Hoosiers should be able to compare the costs of medical care just like they can with other major purchases," said State Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis), a member of the House Public Health Committee. "This database can help them compare health care providers and determine average costs before getting treatment."
State Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) said the APCD lets Hoosiers search what other patients have paid for common procedures across regions, providers and insurance plans. Additionally, the database includes a list of health care providers that perform services within certain distances from a zip code, the average out-of-pocket costs for a service and the quality rating for that facility. For example, Hoosiers needing a knee replacement can select their insurance, procedure and zip code on the database to view a list of nearby health care providers that perform the service, the quality rating for that facility and the average out-of-pocket cost.
"With the price of everyday necessities like food, housing and energy skyrocketing the last few years, having the ability to compare health care costs is really important for families," McGuire said. "This website is a great tool for consumers to make more informed decisions."
According to State Rep. Mike Speedy (R-Indianapolis), the goals of the database are to inform Hoosiers seeking medical care, identify state health care needs, support health care policy, and improve the quality and affordability of health care in the state.
"Too many Hoosiers have been blindsided by surprise medical bills that can cause serious financial strain," Speedy said. "Through this database, they can get a much better idea of what they'd pay for their health care and the best places to get it."
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) said information collected by the APCD complies with the security standards outlined in the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act also known as HIPAA and the U.S. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act. Onpoint Health Data, the Indiana APCD administrator, is also certified by HITRUST, an industry-leading standard in health data security that uses both federal and state security requirements.
"This new resource can help consumers know their expenses upfront and the availability of care nearby before deciding whether to move forward," Jeter said. "This is a strong step in the right direction, and we'll keep looking for solutions to address the affordability and availability of health care."
Hoosiers can visit apcd.idoi.in.gov to compare health care prices and quality, and find out more information. Questions and suggestions for the current or future reports and dashboards can be submitted by email at apcd@idoi.in.gov.
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State Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) represents House District 91,
which includes a portion of Marion County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88,
which includes portions of Hamilton, Hancock, Madison and Marion counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) represents House District 93,
which includes a portion of Marion County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Mike Speedy (R-Indianapolis) represents House District 90,
which includes a portion of Marion County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
