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The Rising Importance of Choice Many people have experienced it: an unexpected illness or injury disrupts the day, or routine bloodwork gets pushed further down the to-do list. Today, people have more choices than ever for receiving non-emergen- cy care, from virtual care and urgent care to retail clinics and ambulatory surgery centers. But where people receive care can significantly affect both costs and the overall experience. For routine or non-emergency care – such as diagnostic imaging, lab work, infusions, and procedures that don't require an overnight hos- pital stay – people typically have two categories of choice: • Hospital-based outpatient set- tings, where people receive care without being admitted over- night; and • Non-hospital settings such as your primary care doctor, an am- bulatory surgery center, urgent care clinic, or virtual care. For example, virtual care may be a convenient option for flu-like symptoms, allergies, rashes, or sinus infections, while urgent care may be more appropriate for sprains, ear pain, or minor injuries. But different care settings come with different price tags. For exam- ple, research consistently shows that hospital outpatient depart- ments typically receive higher re- imbursement rates, and charge more due to facility fees, even when the quality of care is the same. A recent study found that infusion care received in hospital outpa- tient departments resulted in 42% higher costs than care provided in non-hospital settings, despite similar outcomes and patient ex- perience. In many cases, people can receive the same high-quality care in lower-cost settings, without sac- rificing outcomes or convenience. The challenge is that these cost differences can be hard to anticipate. While the emergency room (ER) may seem like a good choice for unex- pected care needs, it typically costs more and takes longer than other non-emergency care options. That's why helping people under- stand their options and identifying high-quality, lower-cost alternatives is a core focus for Anthem. Through care navigation tools and support, members in Maine can compare care locations, understand potential cost differences, and explore lower-cost, high-quality alternatives when clin- ically appropriate. Why It Matters: Cost and Care Experience When people default to higher-cost settings without understanding their options, the impact goes beyond cost alone. They may also encounter more complex, fragmented care experiences that feel harder to navigate, particu- larly for services that are non-urgent. Care settings outside the hospital may offer more convenient experiences, with options that can bring care closer to where people live. One non-hospital option that may be less known to people is ambulatory surgery centers. These centers can perform many of the same routine outpatient procedures as hospitals, such as colonoscopies or upper gastro- intestinal (GI) procedures, but usually at a significantly lower cost. In fact, people can save thousands of dollars when these procedures are performed at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). For example, a colonoscopy at a hos- pital outpatient facility can cost as much as $8,000 in Maine and as low as $2,000 when performed at an ASC. Where you go for care matters. When people have access to this information earlier, they can make decisions that best serve their health needs and budget. How Anthem Can Help For Anthem members in Maine, these tools and resources can help people find the right care, in the right place, at the right time, resulting in lower costs, fewer surprises, and care that feels easier to navigate. For instance, with the Sydney Health app, members can compare costs, manage care in one place, and get personalized in- formation to help choose care that fits their needs and budget. Knowing where to go for care is not always easy, but Anthem can help simplify the decision-making process. For many common health concerns, people may have options such as vir- tual care, urgent care, retail clinics, or a doctor's office that can save time, lower costs, and reduce the stress of unexpected medical bills. S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T Choosing the Right Place for Care Can Save Time, Stress, and Money Learn more at anthem.com/affordabilityinmaine By Denise McDonough, President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine

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