Patients kept in the dark on costs of tests, treatments

The CT Mirror examines the difficulties patients face when trying to comparison shop or simply figure out how much they might have to spend on medical treatments.

The CT Mirror: How Much Will That MRI Cost? Patients Often In The Dark
Because her family's health insurance plan has a $10,000 deductible, Sue Haynie tries to watch what they spend on medical care and figure out what it will cost ahead of time. But that's easier said than done, she's found. There was the time her daughter needed to see a doctor about a lingering sore throat. Haynie wondered how she'd know the cost of any tests the doctor performed, so she asked her insurer, Aetna. Haynie said the representative suggested two options: Ask the doctor's office to call Aetna and find out, or leave the appointment after finding out what tests the doctor recommends, price out the tests, and -- if she decided they're worth it -- go back for another appointment to have the tests done (Becker, 6/25).

The CT Mirror: How To (Try To) Find Out What Your Medical Care Will Cost
Want to know how much a medical procedure is going to cost? Experts say it's not easy. But if you try, there are some things that you should know. Here are few places to look, based on the recommendations of Connecticut and national experts (Becker, 6/25).