Patients at Hundred of Hospitals Have Cheaper Health Care Options Nearby. Why don’t they know?

A Bloomberg News analysis of data compiled by Rand Corp. found more than 350 hospitals in communities across the US with significantly lower-cost competitors within 5 miles. More than half the time, the less expensive facilities had quality ratings that were similar or superior to their pricier neighbors. If patients are willing to travel for lower cost care, they’re likely to find it: Almost half of US hospitals are within 30 miles of a significantly less expensive competiton according to Bloomberg’s analysis of the Rand data.