A lot of people don’t understand how much medical procedures actually cost until they have to pay them. This is why having health insurance is so important and why the Affordable Care Act was passed in order to provide everyone with health insurance. However, knowing the out-of-pocket costs of medical procedures is important too. Knowing this information can help people to determine what type of health insurance will best suit their needs. A new website, California Healthcare Compare, can help people figure out how much medical procedures will cost depending on where they live in the state.

Some California residents might think that medical procedures will cost the same no matter where they live within the state. This, unfortunately, isn’t true. For example, the costs of having a baby in California can be drastically different depending on where someone lives—even if they have health insurance. For example, the out-of-pocket costs of having an uncomplicated birth in Orange County is an average of $1,800. In San Mateo County it’s around $920.

The California Healthcare Compare website is incredibly helpful in that it provides information about five of the most common medical conditions and procedures. These include childbirth, colon cancer screenings, hip and knee replacement, back pain and diabetes. The only drawback at the moment is that the site focuses on comparing information about either the costs associated with these conditions or procedures, or the quality of care provided by the hospitals treating these conditions or offering these procedures, and not both. However, this information can still be incredibly helpful for people since it will help them determine how much they can expect to pay for medical care and procedures where they live, thereby allowing them to plan accordingly in choosing a health insurance policy that will fit their needs best.

Before choosing a health insurance plan, check out the California Healthcare Compare website for helpful information about the costs and quality of medical procedures within the area you live. For more information about healthcare insurance, be sure to contact us at The Benefits Store today.