Texas Free Market Surgery launched a free market healthcare platform in Central Texas.
Here are six things to know:
1. The platform is designed to offer transparent pricing for patients who undergo outpatient surgery. The proprietary system bundles together preoperative and postoperative elements of surgery along with surgeon, anesthesiology and rehabilitation costs.
2. There are now 200 outpatient surgeries on the Texas Free Market Surgery website so patients can evaluate the cost of procedures before scheduling surgery. The platform has an extensive surgeon selection process to vet and hire board-certified surgeons. The procedures are performed at an AAAHC-certified ASC in Westlake, Texas.
3. Sean Kelley and Patrick Kelley, MD, developed Texas Free Market Surgery with the hope of transforming the healthcare system with a comprehensive model and direct payment.
4. The platform eliminates the administrative burden and costs associated with processing claims and billing third-party payers. As a result, the price is 30 percent to 60 percent less expensive than comparable services in payer networks.
5. Keith Smith, MD, of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma — known for his own efforts with transparent pricing — encouraged the Kelley brothers in creating this model.
6. Specialties at the surgery center include otolaryngology, general surgery, orthopedics, extremities and reconstructive plastic surgery.