Minnesota Health Care Providers Join in Launch of First-Ever "Online Shopping Mall" for Health Care

Business Wire, Jan 28, 2008

Carol, The Care Marketplace, enables consumers to shop for and eventually purchase bundled health care packages online as easily as they do vacation packages and other goods and services;

HealthPartners, Park Nicollet, MinuteClinic, Mayo Clinic Health Solutions among participants

MINNEAPOLIS -- A new Minnesota company today launches a first in health care: a retail marketplace that puts consumers in control of their health care decisions. Carol, The Care Marketplace -- www.carol.com -- is an "online shopping mall" that gives consumers everything they need to shop, compare and purchase health care services as easily as they purchase goods and services in other retail environments.

Thirty Minnesota health care providers have already joined the Carol marketplace. Participants include HealthPartners, Park Nicollet Health Services, MinuteClinic, Mayo Clinic Health Solutions, Ridgeview Medical Center, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Minnesota Oncology Hematology, Zel Skin and Laser Specialists, Southdale Pediatrics and many others.

Using Carol.com, area residents for the first time can go online to easily compare the cost and quality of more than 350 health services from local, competing health care providers and doctors and then select the option best suited for them. Individuals also can apply their health insurance benefits and instantly view base prices and estimated in-network and out-of-pocket costs for health care services prior to scheduling and receiving them.

Carol is a free service for consumers and is designed for all people -- those with and without health insurance. The Carol name was taken to honor the trusted family members, friends and associates people turn to when seeking advice or recommendations about health care. "We all know a 'Carol' in our lives."

"In most industries, information about services, price and quality are clear and available to consumers. But health care has always been different. We created Carol to help consumers do what they want to do -- change health care," said Tony Miller, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Carol. "Carol is the first service to connect individuals and families directly to multiple health care providers, while incorporating the realities of a consumer's health care benefits. We're excited to give people complete control of how they evaluate, choose and consume health services, and we strongly believe a more engaged consumer is the first step towards making health care more affordable, approachable and valuable."

Care Packages: Another Health Care First from Carol

One of Carol's unique offerings is the care package -- a bundle of related health care services. Working with Carol, each health care provider creates, markets and sells distinct care packages for chronic and minor conditions, routine examinations, and hospital-based services across the entire spectrum of health care. Care packages Carol will offer include: common immunizations, annual exams, neck and back pain diagnosis and treatment, heartburn diagnosis and treatment, health coaching, pregnancy classes, a year's worth of diabetes care, and in-home check-ups.

Consumers can compare specific care packages from various health care providers in a side-by-side view where they can see service offering breadth; the estimated cost (both base and out-of-pocket) of each package; package features; quality measures; location of clinics; appointment availability and duration; and related therapies and diagnostic services. When someone selects a care package, he/she will know the kind of care he/she will receive and approximately how much it will cost before his/her appointment.

"Carol provides individuals and families the opportunity and information to really own their health care selections," said David Wessner, president and CEO for Park Nicollet. "Patients will be better ready to experience care and participate in it, allowing us to meet expectations completely. Even at this early stage, we are already learning our care, quality and value are going to increase more quickly as a result of participating in the Carol marketplace."

"Carol is a cutting-edge development in health care and a new way of bringing value to consumers," said Mary Brainerd, president and CEO for HealthPartners. "People need to know how much health care costs and what they are getting for their money. Carol does that by creating care packages that are relevant to consumers and help people know what to expect and how much it will cost before they receive care. That's something that hasn't been available to individuals before, which makes Carol a great opportunity for HealthPartners and others to change health care."

A Tool To Manage Rising Health Care Costs

As health care spending continues to rise, consumers are ultimately left with more expenses and responsibility related to their health care decisions. However, consumers have limited visibility and tools to obtain information about the features, price and quality of health care services. According to a recent survey conducted by Carol1: