Medical Cost Transparency

Bottom line: HealthGrades shows that almost all hospital and physician-related charges are discounted if you have the clout of an insurer or medical plan. Now, though, you can gain access to that pricing information and make better choices when spending your money on medical care.

Check to see if your company offers access to HealthGrades services, as many employers are beginning to see the wisdom of giving their employees more say in the medical-care arena.

One example of a great way to use HealthGrades: you decide to have that knee surgery your doctor said would get you back into your running shoes. Simply order a report comparing the orthopedic-surgery ratings of three local hospitals, including analysis of their services, fees and expenses.

A small amount of time for a huge amount of knowledge: Now that's a great investment. And that's The Savage Truth.