The survey found surprising alignment among all three groups about the desire for providers to talk to patients around the cost of care. When asked if they would like physicians to discuss the cost of care, 60 percent of patients and 71 percent of employers were in favor. And most physicians (59 percent) believe it is their responsibility to discuss the cost of care with patients. Patients and employers appear ready to have these conversations, and related survey findings found that most providers are already considering some aspect of the cost when making treatment decisions. What’s missing now are the tools, training, and workflow processes that enable physicians and other health care providers to have meaningful conversations about cost at the point of care. It will require much greater transparency around the cost of care from providers, systems, insurers, and employers who provide medical benefits.
