3 ms·

Another example of how distorted prices are in this market. Price discovery is nearly impossible. Some places can't even tell you how much a drug cost without i

Another example of how distorted prices are in this market. Price discovery is nearly impossible. Some places can't even tell you how much a drug cost without insurance because they don't even know!

wtvanhest 8y ago
Price transparency would dramatically reduce the cost of healthcare in the US. It is an essential step that we must take before 'fixing' healthcare.
howard941 8y ago
Anecdata warning . Took paper Rx to a very large chain that has a one word name beginning with a W and was told they wouldn't quote the cost of the prescription without scanning the Rx. And destroying it so I couldn't take it anywhere else.
- briandear 8y ago
  That right there should be an anti-trust case. I am big on the free market, but that whole concept hinges on transparency in pricing.
- freedomben 8y ago
  Often times they take the script and put their sticker on it before even checking if it's in stock. I have had this happen numerous times. I then go to another pharmacy because the first was out of stock (and my time is worth nothing, so of course I can drive all over town and stand in line for 20 to 40 minutes at each place) and get interrogated by the pharmacy tech, "did you take this somewhere else to fill!!???" Because apparently only a criminal would fill a controlled substance. And with the DEA artificially limiting production, it's very normal for the first three pharmacies to be completely out of stock.
conanbatt 8y ago
Yes, price discovery is impossible. The core way to solve it would be to detach healthcare from employers. This way insurance companies would have to compete to provide measurable price benefits to their patients. Even Bernie sanders with his single-payer platform includes separating healthcare from employer, its the most clear-cut change to do, but also a hugely disruptive one.

3 ms·

Another example of how distorted prices are in this market. Price discovery is nearly impossible. Some places can't even tell you how much a drug cost without i

by dev_dull 8y ago

Another example of how distorted prices are in this market. Price discovery is nearly impossible. Some places can't even tell you how much a drug cost without insurance because they don't even know!

wtvanhest 8y ago
Price transparency would dramatically reduce the cost of healthcare in the US. It is an essential step that we must take before 'fixing' healthcare.
howard941 8y ago
Anecdata warning . Took paper Rx to a very large chain that has a one word name beginning with a W and was told they wouldn't quote the cost of the prescription without scanning the Rx. And destroying it so I couldn't take it anywhere else.
- briandear 8y ago
  That right there should be an anti-trust case. I am big on the free market, but that whole concept hinges on transparency in pricing.
- freedomben 8y ago
  Often times they take the script and put their sticker on it before even checking if it's in stock. I have had this happen numerous times. I then go to another pharmacy because the first was out of stock (and my time is worth nothing, so of course I can drive all over town and stand in line for 20 to 40 minutes at each place) and get interrogated by the pharmacy tech, "did you take this somewhere else to fill!!???" Because apparently only a criminal would fill a controlled substance. And with the DEA artificially limiting production, it's very normal for the first three pharmacies to be completely out of stock.
conanbatt 8y ago
Yes, price discovery is impossible. The core way to solve it would be to detach healthcare from employers. This way insurance companies would have to compete to provide measurable price benefits to their patients. Even Bernie sanders with his single-payer platform includes separating healthcare from employer, its the most clear-cut change to do, but also a hugely disruptive one.