How EarnestMD compares

A benchmark tells you the number. We tell you the argument.

Payer transparency data is public — but almost no one can use it. An MGMA Stat poll (Dec 2025, n=207) found only 18%of practices use transparency-in-coverage rate data in negotiations; the cited barriers were engineering complexity and a lack of tools, time, and skills. Here’s how the options stack up for an independent practice.

	EarnestMD	Rate surveys (e.g. MGMA Rates)	Hiring a consultant	DIY transparency files
What it is	A self-serve rate workbench + optional physician-led strategy session, built on a national multi-payer rate warehouse.	A benchmarking dataset of negotiated/relative rates for ambulatory codes.	A services firm that negotiates contracts on your behalf.	The raw payer machine-readable files (MRFs) the government requires insurers to publish.
Underlying rate data	Billions of negotiated-rate lines across major commercial payers, normalized to clean per-procedure rates.	Benchmark figures (often relative-value / percentile), not the full per-payer line-level detail.	Usually none of their own — they bring expertise, not a data warehouse.	Everything is in there — but files routinely exceed 100 GB and are structurally hostile.
Tells you the argument, not just the number	Yes — specialty-specific peer framing built for the negotiation conversation.	A benchmark tells you where you stand; it doesn't build your case.	Yes — that's the service (at services pricing).	No — it's raw data; the interpretation is on you.
Compares your own providers to peers	Yes — resolves your roster and benchmarks you against comparable practices.	Against survey aggregates, not your specific peer set.	Sometimes, depending on the engagement.	Only if you build the pipeline to do it.
Effort required from your team	Low — self-serve; sign up and see your gaps.	Low to read; the analysis and case-building are still yours.	Low — you hand it off (and wait on their timeline).	High — data engineering, storage, and normalization before any insight.
Board-ready deliverable	Included — unlimited PDF/CSV exports in any paid plan.	You assemble it from the benchmark.	Typically yes, as part of the engagement.	Build it yourself.
Pricing	Published subscription grid — priced for a practice, not a health system.	Undisclosed.	Custom quote; varies by specialty, size, and plan count.	“Free” data — but the infrastructure and time are the real cost.

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Comparisons reflect publicly available information about each category and may change as offerings evolve; they describe categories, not any single vendor’s current terms. EarnestMD is independent and not affiliated with MGMA or any insurer. Sources on file (see strategy documentation).

	EarnestMD	Rate surveys (e.g. MGMA Rates)	Hiring a consultant	DIY transparency files
What it is	A self-serve rate workbench + optional physician-led strategy session, built on a national multi-payer rate warehouse.	A benchmarking dataset of negotiated/relative rates for ambulatory codes.	A services firm that negotiates contracts on your behalf.	The raw payer machine-readable files (MRFs) the government requires insurers to publish.
Underlying rate data	Billions of negotiated-rate lines across major commercial payers, normalized to clean per-procedure rates.	Benchmark figures (often relative-value / percentile), not the full per-payer line-level detail.	Usually none of their own — they bring expertise, not a data warehouse.	Everything is in there — but files routinely exceed 100 GB and are structurally hostile.
Tells you the argument, not just the number	Yes — specialty-specific peer framing built for the negotiation conversation.	A benchmark tells you where you stand; it doesn't build your case.	Yes — that's the service (at services pricing).	No — it's raw data; the interpretation is on you.
Compares your own providers to peers	Yes — resolves your roster and benchmarks you against comparable practices.	Against survey aggregates, not your specific peer set.	Sometimes, depending on the engagement.	Only if you build the pipeline to do it.
Effort required from your team	Low — self-serve; sign up and see your gaps.	Low to read; the analysis and case-building are still yours.	Low — you hand it off (and wait on their timeline).	High — data engineering, storage, and normalization before any insight.
Board-ready deliverable	Included — unlimited PDF/CSV exports in any paid plan.	You assemble it from the benchmark.	Typically yes, as part of the engagement.	Build it yourself.
Pricing	Published subscription grid — priced for a practice, not a health system.	Undisclosed.	Custom quote; varies by specialty, size, and plan count.	“Free” data — but the infrastructure and time are the real cost.