In an area where average emergency room claims reached 842% of Medicare rates, residents of a Colorado county found relief by joining forces and negotiating prices directly with the local hospital.

The CEO of Centene, a company now entangled in a broader federal inquiry, met with Sen. Bob Casey to allay concerns that patients are being neglected.

Under Medicare, doctors are paid based on the average sales price of the prescribed drug, which critics say gives them an incentive to pick the more expensive option.

Consumer advocates argue that transparency can help tackle rising healthcare costs. But the plan also has the potential to overwhelm patients with data.