Washington State lawmakers are hoping so – during the recent legislative session, they approved new transparency rules by January 2016. The belief is that transparency will force providers to be more competitive – cutting unnecessary spending such as ordering diagnostic tests which aren’t needed, or prescribing name brand drugs when generics work as effectively.

Washington’s largest insurance providers initially fought the proposal, objecting to disclosing their negotiated prices. So the database will contain only costs from Medicaid and insurance covering state employees, though supporters hope it eventually will be expanded. The Everett Clinic, north of Seattle, has so far posted prices for imaging services with the on-line encouragement for patients to call and ask for information on other services as well. Read more…