Aetna Posts Physician Price, Performance Data Online

Aetna on Sunday posted new information on its Web site that will allow members in some areas to access price data for “30 of the most widely accessed services” for specific physicians. The data became available to about 2.3 million Aetna members nationwide. The site includes performance data for physicians in 12 specialties: cardiology, gastroenterology, cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, vascular surgery and urology. According to Aetna, physicians are rated on:

• Clinical quality, based on 30-day hospital readmission rates, number of complications during hospital stays and use of recommended screenings/treatments for certain patients;

• Volume of patients, based on whether they have treated at least 20 members in the previous two years; and
• Cost efficiency, based on the total costs of tests, inpatient and outpatient care, and medications in comparison with peers.

Aetna said the new data most likely will benefit members enrolled in high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts and other consumer-driven plans. Critics say the site will not benefit a large number of people because of the relatively low enrollment in such plans to date.