Insurance companies required to provide out-of-pocket cost estimates

SALEM, Ore. - A new law is now in effect to help Oregon citizens pay medical bills. The law requires that insurance companies licensed in Oregon must give residents estimated out-of-pocket costs for all common medical procedures.

According to the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, consumers are already shouldering much of the burden of rising health care costs — with higher premiums, deductibles and co-pays. Until now it has been extremely difficult for patients to get an estimate, which meant the possibility of getting hit with a major bill after a procedure.

OSPIRG said this new law will give consumers the power to shop around and budget for major surgery.

"With the economy as it," said Laura Etherton, an advocate for the research group, "it's important to have tools to help consumers save money and get the most for their dollar, especially on a really big ticket item and something as important as healthcare."

Consumers can request an estimate for a particular procedure from their insurance provider either online or by phone. Information on Oregon's largest providers is at "How much is this health care visit going to cost me?"