More competition. More ways to lower health care costs.
Texas made hospitals post their prices. Now Texans need to be able to use them, and new health plans need a fair shot at competing to bring costs down.
A posted price isn’t always a usable price
Curative CEO Fred Turner told Texas lawmakers about two cases, one involving cancer care and one an OB visit. In both, a provider declined its own posted price once a health plan offered to pay.
Competition creates room for better value
In a market this concentrated, new health plans struggle to compete, or even get a contract.
Three fixes the Legislature can make
- Judge network access with a modern lens
The goal of network standards should be reliable access to quality care without unreasonable financial barriers and inclusive of both traditional network and direct-pay arrangements.
- Patients deserve more value
When a provider publishes a bona fide direct-pay price, that price should be available to all patients regardless of their insurance status.
- Make room for more competition and fair provider contracting
New health plans need a practical opportunity to build provider networks on fair, competitive terms.
How Curative competes
More competition creates more ways to deliver value
A competitive market should allow health plans and providers to find arrangements that work, whether through traditional network contracts, direct agreements or other payment models that expand access and improve value.
$0 in-network primary and preventive care. No deductible, copay or coinsurance.
Same-day direct payment. When a provider posts a fair cash price, Curative pays it directly, with no claims paperwork.
Fred's testimony emphasized that new entrants need room both to build networks and to experiment with different ways of paying for care.
How Curative competes
$0 out-of-pocket costs
No deductible. No copay. No co-insurance. Members can get covered in-network care without cost-sharing getting in the way.
Same-day direct payment
When a provider posts a fair cash price for a covered service, Curative pays it directly with the Curative Cash Card. That means instant revenue for providers and more access for members.
Preventive care first
Curative is designed to encourage members to engage with primary and preventive care early, before manageable health needs become more complex and costly.
A fair opportunity to compete. A fair opportunity to partner.
Texas has already taken an important step toward greater price transparency.
The next step is turning transparency into more competition, better access and better value.
1. Two insurer groups hold 87% of Texas' large-group health insurance enrollment, according to KFF data.
2. Seven in 10 U.S. hospitals now belong to larger health systems, according to a KFF analysis.