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The nature of medical care doesn't allow for "users" to decide rationally. This is primarily due to the lack of domain knowledge concerning medicine. If you h

The nature of medical care doesn't allow for "users" to decide rationally. This is primarily due to the lack of domain knowledge concerning medicine. If you have a lump somewhere, and a doctor wants to X-Ray/Biopsy/Open You Up, you generally don't know which one is best. So prices don't help at all. And that's if by chance you are conscious and able to consent. When you are under, you don't get to consent to the actions of the surgeons ,anesthesiologists or whomever else they decide to bring in to assist.

AnthonyMouse 7y ago
> The nature of medical care doesn't allow for "users" to decide rationally. This is primarily due to the lack of domain knowledge concerning medicine. If you have a lump somewhere, and a doctor wants to X-Ray/Biopsy/Open You Up, you generally don't know which one is best. So prices don't help at all. How do prices not help? You at least know how much you'll have to pay, which is certainly relevant information. You still may not know which one is best (no guarantee that it's the one that costs more), but what solution are you proposing to that anyway? Even if the government was paying for your medicine, how would that help you choose which doctor to listen to? > When you are under, you don't get to consent to the actions of the surgeons ,anesthesiologists or whomever else they decide to bring in to assist. Which is why it may make sense to have an insurance plan that fully covers emergency services regardless of network. But emergency services aren't the majority of medical costs.
- Broken_Hippo 7y ago
  "How do prices not help? You at least know how much you'll have to pay, which is certainly relevant information." First things first, you probably have little choice in where you are going to get things checked out, as there may only be one place in town or one place your insurance covers or one place that works with the hospital your doctor goes to. It isn't like you can opt out if you suspect things like breast cancer, which might kill you, or if you are getting anything done in an emergency fashion. AT best, knowing the cost might give relief or stress and at worst, it'll cause some folks to die a slow death because they can't afford the cure. IIRC, they aren't always upfront about this stuff during surgery. You simply don't know or there might not be folks in your network available for a variety of reasons (like your anesthesiologist being sick that day).

AnthonyMouse 7y ago

> The nature of medical care doesn't allow for "users" to decide rationally. This is primarily due to the lack of domain knowledge concerning medicine. If you have a lump somewhere, and a doctor wants to X-Ray/Biopsy/Open You Up, you generally don't know which one is best. So prices don't help at all. How do prices not help? You at least know how much you'll have to pay, which is certainly relevant information. You still may not know which one is best (no guarantee that it's the one that costs more), but what solution are you proposing to that anyway? Even if the government was paying for your medicine, how would that help you choose which doctor to listen to? > When you are under, you don't get to consent to the actions of the surgeons ,anesthesiologists or whomever else they decide to bring in to assist. Which is why it may make sense to have an insurance plan that fully covers emergency services regardless of network. But emergency services aren't the majority of medical costs.

Broken_Hippo 7y ago
"How do prices not help? You at least know how much you'll have to pay, which is certainly relevant information." First things first, you probably have little choice in where you are going to get things checked out, as there may only be one place in town or one place your insurance covers or one place that works with the hospital your doctor goes to. It isn't like you can opt out if you suspect things like breast cancer, which might kill you, or if you are getting anything done in an emergency fashion. AT best, knowing the cost might give relief or stress and at worst, it'll cause some folks to die a slow death because they can't afford the cure. IIRC, they aren't always upfront about this stuff during surgery. You simply don't know or there might not be folks in your network available for a variety of reasons (like your anesthesiologist being sick that day).