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For me, it is not about ER overuse or not. These types of problems are the symptoms of an overall flaw with the US healthcare system which is that it is no long

For me, it is not about ER overuse or not. These types of problems are the symptoms of an overall flaw with the US healthcare system which is that it is no longer about the Doctors and Patients directly. Too many things are decided by the insurance company which leaves patients and doctors both at risk. I personally have doctors in my family who tell me straight that they cannot decide what to charge their patients because ultimately the insurance companies decide that for them. As far as ER overuse is concerned, sure there are folks who may go to ER for everything but majority don't because ERs are a pain the ass. You may have to wait hours before a real doctor actually sees you unless you are literally bleeding to death on the floor. Nowadays there are urgent care centers that are supposed to be ER replacement for smaller issues but they are severely limited. My wife had a severe headache and we wanted to go to urgent care first but they said to go to ER preferably because they don't have CT scan machines. Not to mention that most urgent care centers are not opened after a certain hour in the evening.

harryh 9y ago
The idea that it should only be about the doctors and the patients is a little strange when you consider the fact that the insurance companies are paying. Of course they are going to get a say! Your family members that are upset that they can't charge more than the people writing the checks are willing to pay are just like any other business people. All sellers of goods would love to be able to charge higher prices than the market will support.
- codegeek 9y ago
  "the fact that the insurance companies are paying" But that's my argument. Why insurance companies need to pay for every visit ? We need to have a system where prices are transparent and low enough that patients can directly pay the doctors. Of course, that would also mean getting rid of crazy premiums being paid to the insurance company for little things like a simple visit to doctor. If no insurance company for little things, then doctors don't have to inflate what they bill to insurance company, insurance company doesn't have to do the "allowed amount" crap and then patients don't have to worry about getting a final bill in the mail which they don't know what it would ultimately be. Insurance needs to exist only for major and catastrophic issues not every little visit to a doctor. Some people may agree or disagree but that is my argument to this whole debacle.
  - harryh 9y ago
    Ah, in that case I pretty much agree with you. We'd be in a much better world if middle class Americans and up had higher deductible insurance that only covered true major issues and then payed for everything else out of pocket. Let's get some capitalism and price competition on! Unfortunately we're stuck in this rut where people mostly feel that healthcare should be "free" (meaning no out of pocket expenses) and also the system handles private payers very poorly (just try to get a hospital to tell you in advance what a test will cost). It sucks and have no idea how it gets better.

harryh 9y ago

The idea that it should only be about the doctors and the patients is a little strange when you consider the fact that the insurance companies are paying. Of course they are going to get a say! Your family members that are upset that they can't charge more than the people writing the checks are willing to pay are just like any other business people. All sellers of goods would love to be able to charge higher prices than the market will support.

codegeek 9y ago
"the fact that the insurance companies are paying" But that's my argument. Why insurance companies need to pay for every visit ? We need to have a system where prices are transparent and low enough that patients can directly pay the doctors. Of course, that would also mean getting rid of crazy premiums being paid to the insurance company for little things like a simple visit to doctor. If no insurance company for little things, then doctors don't have to inflate what they bill to insurance company, insurance company doesn't have to do the "allowed amount" crap and then patients don't have to worry about getting a final bill in the mail which they don't know what it would ultimately be. Insurance needs to exist only for major and catastrophic issues not every little visit to a doctor. Some people may agree or disagree but that is my argument to this whole debacle.
- harryh 9y ago
  Ah, in that case I pretty much agree with you. We'd be in a much better world if middle class Americans and up had higher deductible insurance that only covered true major issues and then payed for everything else out of pocket. Let's get some capitalism and price competition on! Unfortunately we're stuck in this rut where people mostly feel that healthcare should be "free" (meaning no out of pocket expenses) and also the system handles private payers very poorly (just try to get a hospital to tell you in advance what a test will cost). It sucks and have no idea how it gets better.