Indy Standard

State Representative Stephen Bartels is encouraging Indiana residents to utilize a newly launched state website designed to enhance transparency in healthcare costs. The platform, known as the Indiana All Payer Claims Database (APCD), was established following legislation passed by state lawmakers in 2020. The database, managed by the Indiana Department of Insurance, compiles insurance claims data from both public and private healthcare payers.

Bartels emphasized the challenges consumers face when shopping for healthcare services. "Shopping for health care services and providers isn't always easy and can get overwhelming," he stated. He highlighted that the new tool allows patients to estimate potential costs for various medical services, ranging from routine exams to surgeries.

The APCD provides users with information on what other patients have paid for common procedures across different regions, providers, and insurance plans. It also offers details about healthcare providers within specific distances from a given zip code, including average out-of-pocket costs and quality ratings. For instance, individuals seeking a knee replacement can use the database to select their insurance and procedure type along with their zip code to view relevant information about nearby providers.

The primary objectives of the database include informing residents who are seeking medical care, identifying statewide healthcare needs, supporting health policy development, and improving the quality and affordability of healthcare in Indiana.

Data collected by the APCD adheres to security standards set forth by federal regulations such as HIPAA and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act. Onpoint Health Data serves as the administrator of Indiana's APCD and is certified by HITRUST, which sets industry standards for health data security.

Indiana residents interested in comparing healthcare prices and quality can visit apcd.idoi.in.gov. Feedback on current or future reports can be submitted via email at apcd@idoi.in.gov.

State Rep. Stephen Bartels represents House District 74, covering Crawford, Perry, Spencer counties, as well as parts of Dubois and Orange counties.