3 ms·
One way we could wheedle useful information out of this is how the published prices relate to other providers, especially if there are huge discrepancies. Tell
by clavalle 8y ago
One way we could wheedle useful information out of this is how the published prices relate to other providers, especially if there are huge discrepancies.
Telling me an average MRI has an average list price of $1000 at provider A tells me nothing. But if provider B says theirs is $10,000? That could be pointing to something important.
- caseysoftware 8y agoI think that one is a key point. Regardless of the insurance carrier-negotiated discounts, this kind of transparency should make people say "wth?" Especially as people start working and thinking of how to provide 1:1 comparisons between providers. That's the next step but we need the data first.
- jahbrewski 8y agoThe ability to “shop around” for cheaper care sounds fantastic. But could that system actually work for healthcare? Is there anything intrinsic to healthcare that limits the ability of a free market in that arena (morally, economically, etc.)?
- clavalle 8y ago>Is there anything intrinsic to healthcare that limits the ability of a free market Oh, lots (the biggest fundamental failing being that a person will generally pay anything to not die or be in pain -- its why extortion and robbery can never lead to an efficient market). But examining costs doesn't mean we have to apply a market-based approach to controlling those costs.