Hospitals pledge to fight admin price transparency plan in court

Post by carapace » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 12:05 AM UTC

Fomite wrote: post #252

carapace wrote: post #161

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The prices don't change in a supermarket if you edit your shopping list, eh? A hospital can't predict everything a patient will need (their shopping list), but they should be able to account for the cost of each procedure/drug/test/bandage/etc... eh?

The problem is a lot of that isn't deterministic. There's a lot of "If Then" statements that aren't easy to price ahead of time. Like, your procedure is very different if your doctor decides they could use a specialist consult.

Post by refurb » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 12:09 AM UTC

KukicAdnan wrote: post #2

We need price transparency! Went to a quick care the other day because of a flu that would not go away, was seen and diagnosed with bronchitis in less than 5 minutes. The quick care billed my insurance $1,840, which they talked down to $300, and had me pay $115. What?

Post by Emergently » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 12:46 AM UTC

HarryHirsch wrote: post #86

maxk42 wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately, central planning stifles innovation. We have the best cutting-edge medical technology in the world for the few who would like it and can afford it. But by eliminating pricing transparency we've also eliminated the incentive to make those technologies cheaper and more accessible to the common man.

You don't need innovation for the usual complaints that you see a primary care physician for - broken arm, throat infection &c. That stuff lends itself to standardization and following of protocols.

Post by lotsofpulp » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 2:16 AM UTC

TheSoftwareGuy wrote: post #184

bluGill wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is incentives. Most people get their heath care from insurance, which is subsidized by their job. I can legally buy my own insurance, but it will cost a lot more than what I pay through work so of course I don't. My boss wants me to keep working, and so high medical costs keep me from quiting to start my on competitive business. I can live for a couple years on cheap food and little else, but I need at least emerg…

> I can legally buy my own insurance, but it will cost a lot more than what I pay through work so of course I don't. Which is entirely frustrating too. This only happens because employers only subsidize specific health plans, instead of letting the employee spend that money on the health plan that they deem best for themselves. Isn't that ridiculous? Why would my employer care what health insurance I get anyways, the…

Post by whb07 » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 2:19 AM UTC

DanBC wrote: post #168

whb07 wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So a quick way to check reality is by looking at behavior, so say you wanted the "best" care for something no matter the costs. Most people would fly to the U.S from wherever. That is telling you something. I agree the "general" care like broken bones etc its probably all the same, but healthcare innovation is done in the U.S. So it is kind of moot to say "its good here"... yes after the innovation trickles its way o…

> Most people would fly to the U.S from wherever. That is telling you something. > but healthcare innovation is done in the U.S These are assertions without much evidence. Don't forget that the US does well on relatively meaningless measures (5 year survival rates for cancer) but poorly on all cause mortality. Why do US citizens die younger than people of other countries if the US healthcare system is so innovative?