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Presently, no American hospital publishes its price list. Almost every American hospital publishes its price list to its primary customers: the insurance compa
by Zak 16y ago
Presently, no American hospital publishes its price list.
Almost every American hospital publishes its price list to its primary customers: the insurance companies. The problem as I see it is that the insurance companies are the only entities that can get fair prices for health care, and they want to keep it that way. A potential solution would be to ban insurance discounts; a health-care provider could charge any price it wants, but it would be required to charge all customers the same price. Insurance companies would still negotiate for lower prices, so it would benefit all of us.
- cookiecaper 16y agoMy experience has been that if you don't have insurance, the hospital will cut a big chunk out of your bill immediately. Their "negotiated rates" are all just made up things they put on the insurance bill because insurers can pay a lot of money. The insurer calls and says "Hello, I would like a discount". And the guy says "Ah, yes, our standard rate is cash rate + $1000, but for you, I'll take off $500". For instance, a podiatrist I know charges $350 to the insurance company (which shows this as the discounted, negotiated rate) but $150 cash to remove an ingrown toenail. I'm sure there are exceptions.
- caseysoftware 16y agoJust had a pair of major surgeries in my immediate family. When we offered to pay cash, they immediately knocked 50-66% off all the costs. That included anaesthesiologist, room rental, and doctor's time. This "retail rate" mentioned in the article is crap.
- Kisil 16y agoI see this cash discounting frequently, and it makes sense, as it's easier (faster, more certain) for the doctor to take the cash than to deal with billing the insurance company.
- _delirium 16y agoA bigger problem I have is that it's hard to get this information ahead of time. Hospitals don't want to tell you, if you come in for this operation and are willing to pay cash, total cost will be $x (and it should be total cost, including rooms, drugs, anesthesiologist, surgeon, nurses, etc.). If you could get that quote, you could comparison-shop hospitals ahead of time.
- crs 16y agoMy doctor and I had this discussion recently. He said that he is legally not allowed to advertise or share prices. The laws won't allow it as to prevent price fixing. This was in Texas, so maybe someone that understands the laws can chime in and comment on that.