CMS PUBLISHES PRICES FOR 30 MEDICAL PROCEDURES

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) has published prices for 30 diagnostic related groups (DRGs), grouped by U.S. county.

Information includes the volume and typical ranges of Medicare payments for heart operations and implanting cardiac defibrillators, hip and knee replacements, kidney and urinary tract operations, gallbladder operations, back and neck operations and common non-surgical admissions, the CMS said. The agency expects the data to help consumers compare the price and quality of common medical treatments.

The documents can be downloaded at www.cms.hhs.gov, by going to the CMS Highlights box and clicking on the link called Helping Patients Get the Best Care for Their Needs. The forms can then be downloaded from http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HealthCareConInit/ (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HealthCareConInit/).