Practical health care information These days, it’s easy to find information about which car to buy, which air conditioner is most energy efficient, or which soup has the least fat. When it comes to choosing the hospital that best meets our needs, however, it is a different story. Even though some health care information is more readily available today than it has been in the past, it isn’t always easy to understand – or relevant to consumers. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota aims to change all that with a unique health care information tool that is as easy to use and understand as the familiar nutrition label on the foods we buy. Healthcare Facts lets users easily access the information consumers have told us they want to see. At-a-glance information Healthcare Facts is a unique new approach to present important information. Rather than provide a report card format with ratings or rankings, it provides consistent information consumers can truly use to compare “apples to apples” to decide which hospital best fits their needs. It provides at-a-glance data on numbers of key procedures performed, patient safety indicators, services available, access, relative price and other information that can empower people to become more informed consumers. In addition, it presents a unique opportunity for provider groups to differentiate themselves in ways other than cost and to demonstrate their value in ways that are important to costumers. Healthcare Facts can be used in a variety of situations. Consumers can use it to help them select a hospital when they know they’ll have a need for services, like having a baby or a scheduled surgery. Healthcare Facts can also be used to help consumers understand the options for hospital care if they’re new to a community or would simply like to know more about the options in their area. Consumers may also want to use it when they are reviewing their health plan coverage options during their employer’s open enrollment period. Healthcare facts is easy to use Healthcare Facts is available and usable in a variety of formats. For online users, it’s at
