Patient Engagement

Sixty-two percent in the survey said their healthcare costs either increased or stayed the same when compared to their previous plan.

FairChex found that, depending on the procedure, consumers looking at hospital ratings may choose a hospital for care not knowing they perform poorly in a certain procedure, effectively resulting in poor quality delivered at the highest cost.

The research underscores the need for doctors to talk to patients about ways to keep the drugs safely, especially if children are in the household.

According to Leapfrog, patient safety issues kill more than 200,000 patients a year.

Many high-scoring hospitals reversed lower scores in prior ratings periods.

On the other hand, 954 hospitals earned a C, 157 earned a D and 20 scored an F in the latest release of the group's Hospital Safety Score.

Microhospitals have between eight and 10 inpatient beds for observation and short stays, as well as emergency treatment and triage rooms, primary care and specialty care physicians, diagnostic and other outpatient clinic services.

HRI survey finds 40 percent of patients are now asking ahead for price estimates for their care and shopping around for best deals.

Care Quote, which Jackson began using in late August, is a price estimator tool that provides out-of-pocket spending information to patients seeking healthcare services.

University Hospitals of Cleveland is just now beginning to move toward a streamlined billing solution.