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That would be a problem, I can't even withdraw more than €1000 from an ATM. Most of my transactions are plastic or digital, like 99%.
That would be a problem, I can't even withdraw more than €1000 from an ATM. Most of my transactions are plastic or digital, like 99%.
That would be a problem, I can't even withdraw more than €1000 from an ATM. Most of my transactions are plastic or digital, like 99%.
For safety reasons, you might not want to carry around cash. So banks provide cash-like instruments that are safer to walk around with.
Also, often “cash only” includes debit cards. In which case you debit card limit is probably an order of magnitude higher than your daily withdrawal limit.
Finally, do what I’d do as a poor grad student unwilling to pay bank fees: start withdrawing a week in advance ;)
I think it's an important reminder that markets need some level of transparency to function. And perhaps that relatively simple regulation (like a requirement to publish the prices -- or in other areas the first sale doctrine) might be the best regulation where feasible....
Unfortunately,
1) The price agreements between hospitals and insurance companies are confidential, as both sides compete in their own industry and don't want to reveal their hands.
2) Consequently, chargemasters post some ridiculous price per procedure (with discounts available, naturally, to insurance carriers, who are the bulk buyers in the business). Which makes chargemasters similar to list prices you see at most retail establishments - only schmucks are expected to pay those.
That would be a problem, I can't even withdraw more than €1000 from an ATM. Most of my transactions are plastic or digital, like 99%.
"To keep our prices as low as possible, cashier’s checks or cash are the methods preferred. Credit cards are accepted on a case by case basis. Human resource departments or divisions of self-insured companies can make other arrangements if necessary."
(They also have a partnership with some sort of personal loan/financing company which presumably would take credit cards or bank transfers.)
This is part of why Obamacare is fundamentally broken. Using the existing commercial insurance system to try to provide universal coverage injects unavoidable extra expense and complications.
Really happy to hear about the trend the article is describing.
This seems like a problem. How is this not an anti-trust violation? In order to benefit from the insurance contact you purchased, you must use a provider who will submit to an insurance company's capricious payment system.
I think it's an important reminder that markets need some level of transparency to function. And perhaps that relatively simple regulation (like a requirement to publish the prices -- or in other areas the first sale doctrine) might be the best regulation where feasible....
Hospital chargemasters are required to be public in California https://www.oshpd.ca.gov/Chargemaster/ Unfortunately, 1) The price agreements between hospitals and insurance companies are confidential, as both sides compete in their own industry and don't want to reveal their hands. 2) Consequently, chargemasters post some ridiculous price per procedure (with discounts available, naturally, to insurance carriers, who…
Of course regulation requires administrative staff which costs more money as well.
Malpractice is ungodly expensive too.
Other costs are the requirement that hospitals treat the uninsured. I was listening to NPR when the ACA debate was going on, and the CEO of a local large hospital said about 25% of his costs are due to treating people who couldn't pay. That's a huge number.
I think it's an important reminder that markets need some level of transparency to function. And perhaps that relatively simple regulation (like a requirement to publish the prices -- or in other areas the first sale doctrine) might be the best regulation where feasible....
Hospital chargemasters are required to be public in California https://www.oshpd.ca.gov/Chargemaster/ Unfortunately, 1) The price agreements between hospitals and insurance companies are confidential, as both sides compete in their own industry and don't want to reveal their hands. 2) Consequently, chargemasters post some ridiculous price per procedure (with discounts available, naturally, to insurance carriers, who…