Making news and waves in health care

GoLocalPDX, GoLocalPDX Business Team The best companies accomplish two things: they generate plenty of profit and they provide a necessary and useful service to its customers and the community at large. Portland’s Healthsparq reaches and surpasses both of those goals, helping to earn them the title of GoLocalPDX’s Portland company of the year. Read more…

Wiley Only Library, Bryn Nelson, PhD Trux Dole is fond of detailing how the health care services company he works for, HealthSparq Inc in Portland, Oregon, is aiming to dramatically improve the transparency of health care information available to insurance plan beneficiaries. However, the health plan spinoff, independent since 2012, is more than just a business venture. During his son...

Portland Business Journal, Elizabeth Hayes A consumer survey commissioned by Portland-based HealthSparq showed widespread sticker shock and buyer’s remorse when it comes to health expenditures. Read more…

CheatSheet, Chloe Della Costa From the perspective of the average patient, there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason when it comes to health care pricing. Previously we looked at the medical procedures and prescription drugs that are way too expensive in the U.S. compared to other developed countries. Health care prices can vary greatly within the U.S. as...

Health Populi, Jane Sarasohn-Kahn While there’s little evidence that the short-term impact of the Affordable Care Act has limited job growth or driven most employers to drop health insurance plans, the ACA has spawned a “cottage industry” of health companies since 2010, according to PwC. Read more…

Time Money, Kara Brandeisky Lingering winter cold means pollen levels could rise quickly—and so could your medical costs. Read more…