Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the data come from?

The Explorer reads from Gigasheet sheets that you configure in Settings. The underlying data is typically sourced from hospital or insurer machine-readable files (MRFs) published under the Transparency in Coverage and Hospital Price Transparency federal rules. 

Why do map colors change when I change filters?

The color tiers (green/amber/red) are calculated relative to the current result set, not against a fixed scale. When you change filters, the set of ZIP codes in the results changes, and the color thresholds recalibrate accordingly. This is by design — it ensures the color scale is always meaningful for the specific data you are viewing.

What does "Smart Rate Only" mean?

This filter depends on a column in your source sheet that flags certain rates as "smart" or preferred. The definition of a smart rate is heuristic we use to remove outliers. Common uses include flagging the primary negotiated rate when a provider has multiple rate types (e.g., excluding outlier rates or non-standard contract types).

Why does the rate table sometimes take a long time to load?

The rate table for a ZIP code fetches raw rows from Gigasheet in real time. Load time depends on the size of your sheet and the number of matching rows. The first query for a given filter combination may take 10–30 seconds; subsequent identical queries are faster due to caching. If a query consistently times out, try narrowing your filters (e.g., adding a payer or billing code filter) to reduce the number of matching rows. If you need help contact support at anytime.

Can I export data?

Yes. The rate data table includes an Export button that downloads the currently visible provider summary data as a CSV file. Individual rate records (expanded rows) can also be exported. The Benchmark View results table also supports CSV export.

I was logged out after leaving the app open overnight. Is that normal?

Yes. Authentication sessions expire after a period of inactivity. When your session expires, the app will redirect you to the login page automatically. Your filter settings and sheet configurations are saved and will be restored after you sign back in.

I see an "Insufficient Permissions" message even though I should have access.

This can occasionally occur if your session token expired in an unexpected way. Try signing out using the button on the permissions page, then signing back in. If the issue persists, contact Gigasheet support to confirm that a Price Transparency license has been assigned to your account.