4 ms·

i hope this is a transitional cost. i am on the fairly liberal end of things but was hoping high deductible plans would force prices lower by getting consumers

i hope this is a transitional cost. i am on the fairly liberal end of things but was hoping high deductible plans would force prices lower by getting consumers involved while still protecting against catastrophic events. and we are starting to see pressure on drug companies and medical care (epic pen issue for example) as consumers push for reform now that they are feeling it in their pocketbooks more directly.

DubiousPusher 7y ago
> but was hoping high deductible plans would force prices lower by getting consumers involved Part of the problem here is a lack of price transparency. That's what's stopping consumer choice driving any price reduction. It's very difficult to shop medical expenses. In the end it seems like the main choice they give you is really either to do it now or delay.
- LarryDarrell 7y ago
  Not to mention the narrowing of In-Network providers. I can't shop around if my Network has already been reduced to the smallest size possible.
lotsofpulp 7y ago
It will push prices lower, but only after pay for doctors and drug makers and all the other well compensated medical professionals come down.
snidane 7y ago
It is more an issue of supply. The inflow of new doctors and new healthcare business is constrained by the incumbent system. Besides the cartel network that has established, the new potential disruptors are prevented to enter the market all in name of regulation and safety measures. Now it is a positive feedback loop when the current players are incentivized to lobby for a new safety regulations to prevent new market entrants rather than improving the service.
mattkrause 7y ago
> Getting consumers involved I have never understood how this is supposed to work. I can imagine shopping around for things that are a) have perfect substitutes and b) aren’t urgent. For example, maybe you’d pay a bit more for an MRI of your painful knee if it were at a convenient time or in a nicer facility, vs. 5am in a cold bore with no movie or other frills. Perhaps you opt for a cheaper generic or a twice-a-day pill instead of the more expensive extended-release version. Everything else comes with some fairly tricky cost-benefit analysis. How badly do I need to be screened for this or that? If something is missed now, how much worse will it be later—-and how much will it cost then? I’m skeptical that a half hour on WebMD will do much to improve on a trained doctor’s recommendation.

DubiousPusher 7y ago

> but was hoping high deductible plans would force prices lower by getting consumers involved Part of the problem here is a lack of price transparency. That's what's stopping consumer choice driving any price reduction. It's very difficult to shop medical expenses. In the end it seems like the main choice they give you is really either to do it now or delay.

LarryDarrell 7y ago
Not to mention the narrowing of In-Network providers. I can't shop around if my Network has already been reduced to the smallest size possible.

lotsofpulp 7y ago

It will push prices lower, but only after pay for doctors and drug makers and all the other well compensated medical professionals come down.

snidane 7y ago

It is more an issue of supply. The inflow of new doctors and new healthcare business is constrained by the incumbent system. Besides the cartel network that has established, the new potential disruptors are prevented to enter the market all in name of regulation and safety measures. Now it is a positive feedback loop when the current players are incentivized to lobby for a new safety regulations to prevent new market entrants rather than improving the service.

mattkrause 7y ago

> Getting consumers involved I have never understood how this is supposed to work. I can imagine shopping around for things that are a) have perfect substitutes and b) aren’t urgent. For example, maybe you’d pay a bit more for an MRI of your painful knee if it were at a convenient time or in a nicer facility, vs. 5am in a cold bore with no movie or other frills. Perhaps you opt for a cheaper generic or a twice-a-day pill instead of the more expensive extended-release version. Everything else comes with some fairly tricky cost-benefit analysis. How badly do I need to be screened for this or that? If something is missed now, how much worse will it be later—-and how much will it cost then? I’m skeptical that a half hour on WebMD will do much to improve on a trained doctor’s recommendation.