The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that imaging services provider RadNet was one of two winners in its A Bill You Can Understand contest to find more understandable approaches to confusing medical bills.
RadNet of Los Angeles and Sequence of San Francisco were chosen among 80 submissions from healthcare organizations, technology companies, and design agencies. The two winning designs will be further evaluated for testing or implementation by six healthcare organizations across the U.S. that are working to improve the billing experience, HHS said.
The first award was for the bill that is easiest to understand, while the second was for the design that best improves the overall approach to the medical billing system, according to the agency.
Prize No. 1 went to RadNet for a design that aims to make the bill as concise as possible. Its adaptable bills line up with a patient's current experience, including options for uninsured patients and for those whose bills are past due. Color-coded segments make it easy to locate and read specific information, and the design also includes plain language explanations.
Prize No. 2 went to Sequence for its Clarify online- and mobile-based service that extends a retail model of consumer behavior to medical billing, HHS said. Clarify presents services in a way that allows patients to search, browse, compare options and prices, and decide how they will pay.
The winning designs and honorable mentions can be seen here.
