New York City health officials on Monday launched a new online tool designed to help residents compare the cost of local health care services and better understand what they may be required to pay.

Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse said the initiative responds to widespread frustration among New Yorkers over the complexity and cost of health care.

“New Yorkers tell us all the time that their health insurance and navigating health care in New York City are confusing,” Morse said. “It’s overwhelming, it’s difficult, it’s costly, and people often don’t know how much care is going to cost.”

The website allows users to search for common medical procedures and view total prices at specific hospitals and facilities, both with and without insurance. It also provides estimates of out-of-pocket costs, giving patients greater transparency before seeking care.

City officials said health care spending in New York City has doubled over the past decade, driven largely by rising hospital costs. In 2023, nearly one million New Yorkers carried medical debt of $500 or more.

The pricing tool was developed by the city’s Office of Healthcare Accountability, a first-of-its-kind unit created in 2023 and based at the New York City Department of Health headquarters in Long Island City. The office has spent the past year and a half working on the project.

Health insurers and providers will update pricing information monthly, ensuring the tool reflects current costs. The Department of Health is encouraging New Yorkers to provide feedback to help improve the platform over time.