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For non-life-threatening ER visits an app that has your insurance info and lists the Doctor prescribed treatments with their itemized cost would be ideal to see

For non-life-threatening ER visits an app that has your insurance info and lists the Doctor prescribed treatments with their itemized cost would be ideal to see before you consent or choose what to do. For those without smartphones, the software can also be in the hospital computers ready to give a print-out. Wouldn't presenting it beforehand drive down costs? I'd be in favor of legislation requiring up-front costs to be honored, and it's on the hospital to estimate properly and/or get additional consent for added items (or have the patient sign an additional line item waiver with a limit in exchange for some incentive for the patient such an overall discount). The app and insurance profile should also allow you put in guidance on what is allowed if you're brought in unconscious. Some may not want to be resuscitated.

nradov 8y ago
For any ER visit it's generally impossible to predict exactly what treatments will be needed. Minor differences in treatment can cause large price variations. And the hospital won't be able to reliably predict how much the patient has to pay without actually submitting a claim to the insurer.
mattkrause 8y ago
Ugh, no thank you. There are a few procedures where a layperson could probably make meaningful decisions. How much anesthesia do you want for a procedure: cheap but uncomfortable, or pricy and painless? Should a specialist go all out to minimize scarring, or are you fine with a mark on your arm. But for most other things, would you actually be comfortable analyzing the risks, costs, and benefits of treatments on your own? Diagnostic tests too? You're really going to say "I hear what you're saying about a possible stroke. Still, I think the CT is overpriced--and don't even get me started on the MRI—so I'll either pay for a regular old x-ray or we can just see how this numb face/slurred speech thing plays out...." Also, how is this going to work for malpractice? The first person who opts out of the "expensive" stuff and doesn't make a full recovery is going to raise merry hell. "I KNOW I SAID NOT TO DO IT, BUT YOU EXPLAINED IT BADLY. If only I had known..."
noelsusman 8y ago
That's not remotely how medicine works, but ignoring that, part of the problem is that consumers don't care about costs. Why would they? Insurance will cover it.

nradov 8y ago

For any ER visit it's generally impossible to predict exactly what treatments will be needed. Minor differences in treatment can cause large price variations. And the hospital won't be able to reliably predict how much the patient has to pay without actually submitting a claim to the insurer.

mattkrause 8y ago

Ugh, no thank you. There are a few procedures where a layperson could probably make meaningful decisions. How much anesthesia do you want for a procedure: cheap but uncomfortable, or pricy and painless? Should a specialist go all out to minimize scarring, or are you fine with a mark on your arm. But for most other things, would you actually be comfortable analyzing the risks, costs, and benefits of treatments on your own? Diagnostic tests too? You're really going to say "I hear what you're saying about a possible stroke. Still, I think the CT is overpriced--and don't even get me started on the MRI—so I'll either pay for a regular old x-ray or we can just see how this numb face/slurred speech thing plays out...." Also, how is this going to work for malpractice? The first person who opts out of the "expensive" stuff and doesn't make a full recovery is going to raise merry hell. "I KNOW I SAID NOT TO DO IT, BUT YOU EXPLAINED IT BADLY. If only I had known..."

noelsusman 8y ago

That's not remotely how medicine works, but ignoring that, part of the problem is that consumers don't care about costs. Why would they? Insurance will cover it.