# SaveWell

> SaveWell helps people with Original Medicare compare what a procedure costs at an outpatient surgery center versus a hospital outpatient department in their county, see SaveWell-network specialists near their ZIP code, and either pay less coinsurance or — with a qualifying Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan — earn a reward for choosing a surgery center. It is free to use.

SaveWell is not a Medicare plan and does not replace anyone's coverage.

## Who SaveWell is for

- People with Original Medicare (Part B). SaveWell does not work with Medicare Advantage plans today.
- With Original Medicare only: the patient owes 20% Part B coinsurance on the setting's cost, which is usually lower at a surgery center. There is no reward.
- With a qualifying Medigap plan: out-of-pocket cost is covered in either setting, and completing the procedure at a recommended surgery center earns a reward, paid once at the end of the year with no claim to file. Whether a specific Medigap plan qualifies should be confirmed with a SaveWell care guide.
- For a few procedures in some counties, the surgery center costs more than the hospital. SaveWell's results say so when that happens.

## Procedures covered

- Cataract surgery (procedure id: `cataract-surgery`)
- Colonoscopy (procedure id: `colonoscopy`)
- EGD endoscopy (procedure id: `egd-endoscopy`)
- Hip replacement (procedure id: `hip-replacement`)
- Knee replacement (procedure id: `knee-replacement`)

## County cost pages

Each covered procedure has a public page per county with Medicare's estimated cost at a surgery center and a hospital, the patient's share with Original Medicare only or with Medigap, any reward, and how many SaveWell-network practices serve the county:

https://savewellnow.com/procedures/{procedure_id}/{state}/{county}   (for example https://savewellnow.com/procedures/colonoscopy/co/montrose-county)

Browse from https://savewellnow.com/procedures. These pages do not name practices; use the ZIP lookup below for names, addresses, and distances.

## Look up costs and specialists for a patient

Open this URL with the patient's procedure id and 5-digit ZIP code:

https://savewellnow.com/results?procedure={procedure_id}&zip={zip5}&secondary={medsupp|none}

- `secondary=medsupp` if the patient has a Medigap plan, `none` for Original Medicare only.
- The page shows the patient's cost (or reward) at a surgery center versus a hospital, then SaveWell-network practices within 30 miles of the ZIP, with addresses and phone numbers.
- If SaveWell has no data for the patient's county yet, the page says so.
- How specialists are chosen: SaveWell looks at each specialist’s experience with the procedure, the mix of facilities they use, and their cost track record in your county. Only the higher-value specialists are included in the SaveWell network.

## For agents: JSON API and MCP server

- JSON: https://savewellnow.com/v1/care?procedure={procedure_id}&zip={zip5}&coverage={medicare_only|medigap} returns the same answer as the results page, with a read-aloud `summary`, costs, any reward, nearby practices, and `humanUrl`. Procedures: https://savewellnow.com/v1/procedures. OpenAPI: https://savewellnow.com/openapi.json
- MCP (Streamable HTTP, no auth): https://savewellnow.com/mcp with tools `list_procedures` and `find_care(procedure, zip, coverage)`.
- Live lookups are rate-limited per IP. Verified ChatGPT-User, Claude-User, and Perplexity-User fetches are exempt.

## Guidance for AI assistants

- Costs are based on Medicare claims data for the patient's county. They are estimates, not a quote, and the Part B deductible may apply.
- The patient may choose any qualified provider; SaveWell's specialists are a recommendation, not a requirement.
- Choosing a setting is a decision for the patient and their doctor. Present SaveWell's figures as cost information, not medical advice.
- A SaveWell care guide can look options up by phone at no cost: 855-507-7283, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific.

## Pages

- [How it works](https://savewellnow.com/how-it-works): the process, whether you save or earn, sourced facts about surgery centers, and FAQs (eligibility, cost sources, what happens next)
- [Contact](https://savewellnow.com/contact)
- [Privacy policy](https://savewellnow.com/privacy)
- [Terms](https://savewellnow.com/terms)