Hospital pricing disparities exist across the country

Hospital pricing disparities have been found all over the country, with significantly lower-cost options available within just a few miles of higher-priced hospitals. This variation in pricing is a major issue in American healthcare and affects all consumers with commercial insurance. Despite claims from hospitals that different cost structures and patient mix justify the variation, research shows that higher-cost care does not necessarily equate to better quality. However, consumers are generally unaware of the pricing disparities and it remains challenging for them to make informed decisions about healthcare.