Truven Health Analytics announced today the addition of reference-based pricing to its Treatment Cost Calculator. This new capability responds to the growing need for consumers to predict the financial impact of their treatment decisions.

The Truven Health Treatment Cost Calculator is an online tool that provides accurate, real-time estimates of out-of-pocket costs that are personalized to the user's benefits plan, deductible, choice of provider, and location. The Treatment Cost Calculator now allows an employer or health plan to establish a reference price for any covered service, allowing consumers to easily identify providers that offer the service they need at a cost that is at or below the reference price.

"Consumers are paying a greater share of their healthcare expenses, so they want and need tools to support their decisions. Healthcare payers are in the best position to offer transparency tools to help consumers understand the cost implications of provider and treatment choices," said Mike Boswood, president and chief executive officer at Truven Health Analytics. "We are committed to meeting the rising demand for price transparency with timely, accurate information that not only supports consumers but also drives more value for each healthcare dollar."

With reference-based pricing, employers or their health plans can set a specific price ceiling that they will cover for a specific service or procedure based on either the member or the provider's location. If an individual selects a provider whose fee is less than or equal to the reference price, their benefit will cover the cost in its entirety. However, if an individual selects a provider whose fee is greater than the reference price, their benefit will only cover the amount up to the reference price for the procedure. Any amount in excess of the reference price will be the responsibility of the individual.

The Treatment Cost Calculator is part of the Truven Health suite of consumer health solutions, accessible to more than 20 million individuals through their payer or provider.

To learn more about the Truven Health Treatment Cost Calculator, visit http://www.truvenhealth.com/products/treatment_cost_calculator.aspx

About Truven Health Analytics

At Truven Health Analytics, we're dedicated to delivering the answers our clients need to improve healthcare quality and access, and reduce costs. Our unmatched data assets, technology, analytic expertise, and comprehensive perspective have served the healthcare industry for more than 30 years. Everyday our insights and solutions give hospitals and clinicians, employers and health plans, state and federal government, life sciences researchers, and policymakers the confidence they need to make the right decisions, right now, every time.

Truven Health Analytics owns some of the most trusted brands in healthcare, such as Micromedex, ActionOI, 100 Top Hospitals, MarketScan, and Advantage Suite. Truven Health has its principal offices in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Chicago; and Denver. For more information, please visit www.truvenhealth.com.

J. Roderick, Inc.
For Truven Health Analytics
Brian Erni, 631-584-2200
brian@jroderick.com