Wowza Adds Cost Data to Minnesota HealthScores Data Reporting Web Site

PR Log (Press Release) – Sep 08, 2009 – Wowza recently launched Minnesota HealthScores, http://www.mnhealthscores.org, a new Web-based cost-comparison tool that allows Minnesotans to compare costs of select medical procedures from medical groups across the state.

Together, Wowza, http://www.wowzamade.com, a marketing firm in Minneapolis, and Minnesota Community Measurement, a nonprofit collaborative of health care organizations and professionals dedicated to improving quality care, designed and developed the cost-comparison tool, the first of its kind in the nation.

“We are thrilled with the positive outcome of our work on the HealthScores Web site,” said Jeff Rabkin, President of Wowza. “Minnesotans now have the ability to search and compare quality and cost information with ease and confidence. We are proud to help increase transparency and provide Minnesota families with the tools they need to make better health care decisions.”

Minneasota HealthScores, http://www.mnhealthscores.org, provides consumers with new cost-of-care measures on what medical providers charge on average for over 100 common medical procedures, ranging from flu shots and strep tests to colonoscopies.

Governor Tim Pawlenty, who announced the launch of the health care cost and quality information tool at a press conference August 26th, highlighted the significance of this first-in-the-nation tool for consumers.

“This reform is part of our larger effort to make Minnesota’s health care system even more market-driven, patient-centered and quality-focused,” Pawlenty said. “Comparing cost is a fact of life in almost every other aspect of life, but it’s a fundamental change in health care. By increasing transparency we hope to hold down costs and improve quality.”