Comparing health care costs

Some health care providers have moved toward making costs for frequently used medical services and tests more transparent.

The Palo Alto Medical Foundation, with locations in Santa Cruz, has an online Cost Estimator tool that’s easy to use. People can find out the estimated costs for everything from a doctor’s visit for a new patient to pregnancy and prenatal tests.

PAMF also has a cost estimator phone line with representatives who can provide the same information and answer questions, too.

In Monterey County, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula has a price estimator phone line. The hospital says it’s had the line for about seven years, using a computer tool that helps provide estimates based on the caller’s specific insurance coverage. The estimate line is (831) 625-4715.

KION wanted to find out the range in pricing for a common diagnostic test. Here’s what we found out:

Abdominal Ultrasound – Limited
Procedure Code 76705

Palo Alto Medical Foundation: $458
30% discount with cash, but not applied toward insurance deductible

Radiology Medical Group of Santa Cruz County: $200 cash price according to prices listed online

Salinas Valley Imaging Center: $260.72 (phone estimate)

Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula: cost varies by insurer, but 15% discount with cash payment