While posting prices online is fine, it may not necessarily help patients choose the best value for their dollar, critics say. While lower prices may suggest a hospital is more efficient--and getting patients well faster--that's not necessarily the case, advocates note. In addition, the rash of hospital prices being posted vary widely; for example, some hospitals quote their median fee paid to contracted health plans, while others quote "sticker prices" that don't really give a sense of a patient's true out-of-pocket cost.

Not only that, such prices usually don't include quotes for both a procedure and the bundle of additional services that are delivered as part of the process. Ultimately, even experts have a heard time blending pricing information with quality data in a meaningful way, critics note.

To learn more about this trend:
- read this Associated Press article [1]

Related Articles:
Tennessee hospitals put prices online. Report [2]
HCA posts hospital prices online. Report [3]
MN group posts hospital prices to Web. Report [4]
Maryland adds pricing to hospital guide. Report [5]