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Community Health Network launches centralized pricing office and new My Estimate tool; Focus is on consumer convenience, patient experience

For release on January 28, 2015

Indianapolis, IN—Community Health Network is making it easier for consumers to determine their out-of-pocket healthcare expenses with a new tool called My Estimate. This is one aspect of the patient-friendly, new centralized pricing office the network has launched as part of its Office of Patient Experience. Community will work directly with a patient’s insurer to provide accurate price estimates in advance of services provided—eliminating fears of large, unplanned expenses after patients receive healthcare treatments.

Out-of-pocket price estimates will be provided to patients for inpatient and outpatient procedures when they call (317) 355-9279—or toll free at 844-786-9503—Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Messages left after hours or on weekends will be returned within 48 hours or the next business day. Online requests can be submitted at eCommunity.com/myestimate. Patients can fill out a request form online and a Community pricing analyst will personally contact that patient to review the estimate and answer questions.

"At Community Health Network, our vision is to simply deliver an exceptional experience with every life we touch," said Tom Malasto, chief patient experience officer at Community. "Consumers are facing more exposure to their healthcare costs, and they need access to meaningful information regarding their out-of-pocket expenses. This service is part of our commitment to design services around the needs of those we serve.”

In most cases, professional fees, anesthesiologist fees and radiologist reading fees are not included in the estimate. Price estimates are not guaranteed, as services used to compute the estimate may vary from services received due to treatment decisions, unforeseen complications, additional tests or services ordered by a physician, and variation in the clinical needs of each patient.

“Our focus is to serve as patient advocates for all Community patients,” said Kipp Finchum, vice president of reimbursement for Community Health Network. ”The network wants to arm consumers with the knowledge they need to access quality healthcare in a seamless, painless manner. With one phone call, patients can gain information about out-of-pocket costs and be prepared to move forward with the care they need.”

My Estimate is one of a number of transparency tools now available for patients. The Indiana Hospital Association recently launched careINsight, an online price-comparison tool that allows patients to compare full, non-discounted inpatient charges at hospital systems across Indiana, including Community, further helping patients understand their healthcare costs.

Community’s Office of Patient Experience was established in 2014 to provide patients with the best medical experience available in Central Indiana, by offering improved access to quality care that is coordinated, easy to use for everyday needs and focused on getting and keeping patients healthy.

About Community Health Network
Ranked among the nation’s most integrated healthcare systems, Community Health Network is Central Indiana’s leader in providing convenient access to exceptional healthcare services, where and when patients need them—in hospitals, health pavilions and doctor’s offices, as well as workplaces, schools and homes. As a non-profit health system with over 200 sites of care and affiliates throughout Central Indiana, Community’s full continuum of care integrates hundreds of physicians, specialty and acute care hospitals, surgery centers, home care services, MedChecks, behavioral health and employer health services. To learn more, visit eCommunity.com or call 800-777-7775.

 

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Lynda de Widt, Media Relations
Lynda de Widt
Media Relations