CoverageCalculator.com Debuts

Coverage Calculator, Inc. launched its new website which helps consumers compare the out-of-pocket medical costs associated with different types of health insurance plans, including the "metal" plans - bronze, silver, gold, platinum - sold on the Healthcare.gov website.

The new site is found at CoverageCalculator.com.

According to a release, the new website helps consumers "do the math," calculating their out-of-pocket cost for any combination of fees, approved amounts, co-payments, deductibles and co-insurance. Coverage Calculator, Inc., a for-profit company founded by a retired physician and technology entrepreneur, does not require user registration, collect or store personal health information (PHI).

While some health plans offer out-of-pocket estimators, they are usually limited to plan members. CoverageCalculator.com is in the public domain and offered free to individuals. Coverage Calculator, Inc., will derive revenue from advertising and licensing fees.

"We originally designed the site earlier this year to help consumers with health insurance accurately determine their out-of- pocket costs for upcoming medical procedures. The launch of the healthcare.gov site, however, has generated a lot of confusion since the various 'metal' plans offer different combinations of deductibles, co-insurance and co-payments. The CoverageCalculator.com website can be helpful when consumers are evaluating the overall costs - not just the monthly premiums - associated with the different metal plans," said Dr. James Weintrub, developer of the Coverage Calculator application.

The new site is also valuable to physicians, particularly those who perform expensive procedures such as orthopedists, ophthalmologists and plastic surgeons who want to promote "informed expectations" about cost. It provides physicians and office managers with an easy-to-use tool to help consumers see how costs will be shared with the health plan.

CoverageCalculator.com, a dynamic online worksheet that requires minimal data entry, is a way for patients and providers to discuss cost. Patients need to ask providers about fees and charges. Coverage information is obtained from the health plan. Subscribers and providers can access this information in insurance documents or online.

Coverage Calculator, Inc., based in Providence, RI, was founded by James Weintrub, MD, a retired plastic surgeon and technology entrepreneur. In his medical practice, Dr. Weintrub used a paper cost-analysis worksheet he created to help patients understand medical costs.

Dr. Weintrub has 32 years experience as a practicing surgeon, healthcare systems analyst and entrepreneur. A technology developer, he built billing platforms for providers and health plans, created programs to teach physicians about patient privacy laws and constructed decision trees to help consumers select insurance plans. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, he was Chief of Plastic Surgery at the Providence VA Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Brown University until retirement in 2012.

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