Health care cost information is out there. Why don’t we use it?

Consumers say they want to know how much medical procedures will cost, but many of us don’t take the time to use available price transparency tools. Some possible reasons.

1. We don’t know the tools are out there.

2. We don’t know how to use the tools, which are often offered by insurers.

3. When we find cost-comparison information, we decide the lower cost might not be worth the burden of switching doctors or other health care providers.

Harvard Medical School surveyed 39 patients and found fewer than half — 17 people — reported frequently using pricing tools. Of those, 13 used the tools infrequently. Nine never used them. Why? They forgot they were available or didn’t find them all that helpful.

A study outlined in Health Affairs shows state workers and retirees in California enrolled in a Blue Cross PPO were offered a price-comparison website and app, but many weren’t motivated to use it. Just 12 percent used the website/app in the first 15 months. Those who did saved an average of 14 percent compared with those who didn’t.

Have you used price-comparison tools? Have they helped reduce your out-of-pocket health care expenses? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.