UnitedHealthcare, a Minnetonka, Minn.-based health-insurance provider that had more than 42,000 enrollees in Eastern Washington as of late last year, has launched an online tool called myHealthcare Cost Estimator that's intended to help patients shop for health care.

The tool allows consumers to find care while being able to estimate the cost of more than 100 common treatments and procedures. Estimates also are personalized to reflect an individual's own health plan benefits, including their real-time account balances when applicable.

UnitedHealthcare claims the new online service is more precise than calculators that might rely on old claims data, and often from only a handful of employers. MyHealthcare Cost Estimator, available to more than 14 million people nationwide, draws on the company's actual contracted rates with physicians, hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers in 47 markets, including Spokane, the insurance provider says.

"MyHealthcare Cost Estimator meets a longstanding consumer need for thorough but simple online comparison shopping for health care by putting relevant information right at people's fingertips," says Yasmine Winkler, chief product and marketing officer for United-Healthcare. "MyHealthcare Cost Estimator enables people to make better care decisions, by better understanding their treatment options, comparing services, and anticipating future costs."

By building what United calls care paths, the online tool creates a comprehensive view of what the consumer should expect throughout their course of treatment, from the time they first visit the doctor, to the test or procedure, and through to physical therapy or any necessary follow-up care. Information is connected to in-network hospitals and physicians, and alternate treatment options are provided so consumers can have an informed conversation with their physician.

Collaboration with care providers is critically important when building cost estimators and other consumer support tools to ensure they enhance the overall patient experience—and accurately portray expected costs and treatment options, the health insurer says.

UnitedHealthcare says it will integrate the myHealthcare Cost Estimator tool later this year intoHealth4Me, its mobile app for iPhone and Android smartphones that helps people with employer-sponsored benefits plans access important health care information on their mobile devices.

It says it created MyHealthcare Cost Estimator based on months of consumer, employer, and care provider feedback to ensure a simple, intuitive experience. Key features include:

•Cost estimates for more than 47 geographic areas covering more than 100 different treatments and procedures, such as lab tests, radiology tests, and office visits.

•The ability to compare quality and cost information for 240,000 physicians and hospitals.

•Cost estimates that are tailored to a plan participant's specific benefits plan design that identify what will be owed out-of-pocket, costs that will be paid by their employer, and real-time account balances available in an eligible health care account.