The website priceline.com lets customers shop and compare prices for all kinds of services, from hotel rooms and rental cars to air fares and ocean cruises.
Now there's a website that lets consumers do the same thing with dental and medical services.
Launched earlier this year in Washington state, PriceDoc.com brings cash-paying patients together with healthcare providers who offer the services they need, the company said.
"PriceDoc is a win-win solution for physicians and patients," said Glenn Safadago, chief marketing officer of PriceDoc, in a press release. "PriceDoc helps patients who have avoided care because of the cost find a qualified provider that's right for them at an affordable price. Providers save money by eliminating payment delays from insurance companies and improve their cash flow by introducing new, cash-paying patients."
One option on PriceDoc is the Name Your Price feature. If patients are unable to find a price within their budget, they can post the price that they can afford. PriceDoc then searches for a provider that will accept their offered price and instantly notifies the customer.
The company said it plans to expand into California next year.
