5 ms·

Lack of price transparency feels like a big part of the problem here. It's nearly impossible for a consumer to shop around based on price, allowing prices to go

by zhyder 9y ago

Lack of price transparency feels like a big part of the problem here. It's nearly impossible for a consumer to shop around based on price, allowing prices to go up freely. I'm actually surprised healthcare providers can legally be as opaque as they are: how is it okay to charge arbitrary amounts after the fact and require the consumer to pay? Even car mechanics make upfront estimates and get them signed by the consumer, because otherwise the consumer might refuse to pay. Why doesn't the same happen in healthcare for at least non-emergency procedures?

sethammons 9y ago
I see a retina specialist twice a year. I recently changed to a high deductible plan with an HSA. I called to see what the cost of my appointment would be. They could not or would not tell me. Incall three separate times, talking to different people and different departments. I went in and continued asking the front desk. "It depends on the services you end up getting." Ok, sure, but for a standard appointment, what then? "I can't say." Listen lady, I'm looking for a ball park. $50? $100? $1000? $5000? "Oh, I can't imagine it will be that much." Which one? "We will have to just bill you after." So absolutely frustrating. It ended up being like $150. Without price transparency like a public menu, we won't get better.
- kthejoker2 9y ago
  Had the same experience with my son's ear infection on a holiday weekend. Received a bill for $900. I refused to pay it, I wrote them and said I had asked to receive an itemized list of charges for a typical ear infection and had been refused and that if these prices were known at the time of the service I wouldn't've undertaken the service. So of course they came down to $450 without even batting an eye. Complete madness. I've still never paid it, with no apparent consequences.
- SilasX 9y ago
  Bingo. Healthcare is the only place where courts will tolerate a contract where a patient "consents" in advance, to paying any amount without bound.

by zhyder 9y ago

sethammons 9y ago

I see a retina specialist twice a year. I recently changed to a high deductible plan with an HSA. I called to see what the cost of my appointment would be. They could not or would not tell me. Incall three separate times, talking to different people and different departments. I went in and continued asking the front desk. "It depends on the services you end up getting." Ok, sure, but for a standard appointment, what then? "I can't say." Listen lady, I'm looking for a ball park. $50? $100? $1000? $5000? "Oh, I can't imagine it will be that much." Which one? "We will have to just bill you after." So absolutely frustrating. It ended up being like $150. Without price transparency like a public menu, we won't get better.

kthejoker2 9y ago
Had the same experience with my son's ear infection on a holiday weekend. Received a bill for $900. I refused to pay it, I wrote them and said I had asked to receive an itemized list of charges for a typical ear infection and had been refused and that if these prices were known at the time of the service I wouldn't've undertaken the service. So of course they came down to $450 without even batting an eye. Complete madness. I've still never paid it, with no apparent consequences.
SilasX 9y ago
Bingo. Healthcare is the only place where courts will tolerate a contract where a patient "consents" in advance, to paying any amount without bound.