How to Use Charge & Quality Data

Having charge and quality information at your fingertips enables you to make decisions with better information based on true value, and what the best value is for you.

In the past few years, several reputable organizations have developed interactive public web sites that report healthcare quality information.

But all sources are not equal, and consumers must be certain the data is based on national standards and benchmarks for quality and safety. It's also important to understand how to interpret and use the information.

How to Use Quality Data

• Familiarize yourself with the measures and how they can help improve the care that's delivered to patients.


• Review the methodology section of the web sites. Are the results based on nationally recognized benchmarks?


• Be sure to look at the results over a period of time to get an accurate portrayal of organizational quality. One bad outcome in a quarter with relatively few procedures will greatly skew the results. Looking at three or four quarters of data provides a more accurate picture.

Additional factors to consider
Charge and quality data is just a starting point - just two factors that should go into healthcare decision-making. Not any one measure is indicative of an organization's overall performance.

Discuss your choices with your physician and/or call the hospital to ask questions. Look at a hospital's nurse to patient ratio and patient satisfaction scores.

Links to publicly accessible web sites that are dedicated to reporting healthcare quality and patient satisfaction information. All of these sites are credible sources of information based on national benchmarks and evidence-based standards:


• The Joint Commission: http://www.qualitycheck.org


• Colorado Hospital Report Card: http://www.cohospitalquality.org


• U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s web site: www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov


• Hospital Quality and Charge Data: http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com


• HealthGrades

How to Use Charge Data
Comparing charges between local providers for similar procedures can help you decide where to go for care based on your insurance reimbursement and personal preference. Combined with quality data, charge information can provide you with an overall picture of the best value for your healthcare dollars.

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