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Costco now offering virtual medical care for $29
- reidjs 3y agoThis is a great option. Even though I do have decent insurance I would consider this just to avoid dealing with insurance at all
- fortran77 3y agoEspecially if I just wanted a Viagra perscription, or a Lexapro perscription. Why mess up your insurance?
- SV_BubbleTime 3y agoI had an urgent care clinic offer me a sling… 5 months later I got a bill for $160. The same sling sells for $4 on Amazon. They knew my insurance would pay them, and I have to pay my insurance. It’s a scam top to bottom.
- hackernewds 3y agofwiw your insurance most likely got billed $160 but that is not what they ended up paying for. that is the negotiation price, which you have less leverage for, but your insurance company has tons. in a real world scenario, your insurance company probably paid $5
- iancmceachern 3y agoYeah but they paid $155 in unnecessary labor for the medical billing specialist and the insurance company billing rep to go back and forth for 3 months.
- koolba 3y agoFrom the linked blog post by the actual provider: > Sesame doesn’t accept health insurance (which also keeps prices low). This makes it ideal for Costco Members that prefer to pay cash for their health care, whether it is because they are enrolled in high deductible insurance plans, are uninsured, or simply appreciate the price, quality and convenience of Sesame. $29 upfront rather than $25 copay + random bill for and additional $125 a month later for a 4 minute appointment sounds pretty good.
- jimt1234 3y agoThe fact that excluding health insurance actually lowers the price makes me wonder what the point of health insurance is anymore.
- lotsofpulp 3y agoIt is for the six and seven figure heart surgery/NICU baby/cancer treatment. Edit: My question is, is Sesame paying the doctors less, or are you actually paying $29 for a Nurse Practicioner/Physician's Assistant?
- ethbr1 3y agoAnd technically, that's what health insurance always should have been for. Allowing insurers to step in the middle of smaller, everyday health transactions by empowering them to negotiate price fundamentally screwed up the system. There's no reason insurance should be involved in non-catastrophic or routine pharmaceutical purchasing.
- lotsofpulp 3y agoThe US government does offer a massive carrot for people to choose high deductible health plans, in the form of the most tax advantaged account you can have, a Health Savings Account. The root problem is most Americans are too poor to afford healthcare at the current prices of doctors/medicines/medical equipment/liability protection/etc, period.
- creato 3y agoUsing an HSA can be a pain in the ass. On multiple occasions I’ve had to go back and forth with the provider and HSA to get an acceptable receipt. I ended up just giving up in one case because it was a small amount and not worth fighting phone reps and automated systems.
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- cultofmetatron 3y agoin colombia, for $49, you can have a real doctor come to your home
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- esafak 3y agoThe average medical degree costs $220K and requires a decade of education. This has natural consequences. https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-medical-school https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-medical-school
- jimt1234 3y agoAny medical doctors out there? I've read that most doctors are $500K in the hole when they're all finished with school.
- cwalv 3y agoOnly if they're careless. Also, there are many options for internship and residency that qualify for PSLF, so in the end the total amount may not matter (to them), because it ends up forgiven after 8 +2 years in a non profit or govt hospital.
- qudat 3y agoIt’s the same answer to the question: Is it true most college graduates are $100k in the hole? It highly depends on the context of the individual, but OP is right: 4-year college then 4 years medical school, and then after that years of fellowship. The shocking part isn’t how much they pay, it’s also the opportunity cost of how long they make little to no money. When determining hourly wage, most physicians in training (e.g. residents, fellows) make minimum wage. It’s a decade of training or more where income is severely deferred. There isn’t even a guarantee of an astronomical salary because some specialties do not pay well.
- stevekemp 3y ago
- Animats 3y agoAh, doc-in-a-box is back. CVS had something like that about a decade ago. I went to one once on a weekend. I got treated and was given a printout full of plausible medical jargon. When my real GP saw it, she said "according to this you're taking a drug only given to pregnant women".
- queuebert 3y agoWere you recently unfrozen from cryo? Clinics in pharmacies, like CVS and Walgreens, staffed by NPs or PAs have been a thing for a while now and have done heroic stuff during the pandemic. For the majority of common complaints the care delivered by an NP or PA is on par with that of an MD and much cheaper and more accessible to most people. For example, I work at a major medical center of some repute, and it takes months to get any kind of appointment there, while I can usually get in same day at the pharmacy clinic. In fact, they are so good, my employer has bought up a bunch and slapped their name on them.
- anon291 3y ago> hen my real GP saw it, she said "according to this you're taking a drug only given to pregnant women". A drug only being given to pregnant women can mean (1) a drug that works but may have been superceded by a new drug that's not tested in pregnant women, but otherwise works for everyone just as well or (2) a drug specifically meant to treat a condition in pregnancy, which I believe is what you're attempting to insinuate without cause.
- AndrewKemendo 3y agoEveryday we are one step closer to realizing Idiocracy 1. Crocs are a regular shoe 2. US President was involved in professional wrestling 3. Costco for everything
- speed_spread 3y agoSay what you will but in Idiocracy people had healthcare. And by the likes of Dr. Lexus no less!
- vsskanth 3y agoGood. Amazon has something similar. Not sure if the Costco one can be used for kids (i know Amazon doesn't) . I have to pay 150 dollars just to see a pediatrician to check if my kid has an ear infection.
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- Someone1234 3y agoFor context Telehealth via my workplace, with insurance "discount," costs $50 OOP. I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it: If the US insists on capitalist healthcare, they need to make two very specific changes to really have close to a free market system - - Insurance discounts are banned including to Medicare and Medicaid. Everyone pays the same "cash price" (i.e. one price) and then insurance reimburse it to the patient rather than talking with medical providers at all. You get the bill, pay cash, or get insurance reimbursement, but the price is the price. There is nothing limiting your insurance company for providing tools, advice, and technology to find the most cost-effective and beneficial healthcare. But you're both working together on the same "side." The patient is the king-maker, you decide utlimately. - Employer provided insurance is banned. Everyone, from congress through Walmart cashier buys it on an open exchange creating larger fairer pools that allows people to pick bespoke insurance based on their personal needs and finances. It also forces real competition, not for employer contracts on behalf of their employees, but for individuals and what they want/need/prioritize. It increases social mobility because you can leave one job and go to another without losing your insurance. Making insurance premiums tax-free is an easy problem to solve (we almost have the tools today). The US either needs to lean out of capitalist healthcare completely (e.g. socialist healthcare, like Canada or multi-EU countries) or they need to lean into it. You cannot do this silly and destructive middle ground wherein people cannot pick their services, providers, or insurance then expect the "market" to be rational.
- ethbr1 3y ago110% agreed. Allowing (and requiring!) insurance companies to negotiate their own discounts over-complicates the system and distorts price transparency and signalling. And group insurance is an ideal that's outlived its utility. It made sense when there were non-trivial actuarial and administrative costs to pricing an individual, but we've got computers now. No reason the pool shouldn't be everyone.
- russdill 3y agoSean Carroll recently did a podcast with Amy Finkelstein on insurance markets. I think you'd find it interesting. A paradoxical advantage of employer health care is that it prevents people (and insurers) from choosing. https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2023/04/10/232-amy-finkelstein-on-adverse-selection-and-hidden-information/ https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2023/04/10/232-...
- dclowd9901 3y agoPeople talking about this supplanting standard health insurance plans: how does this change the calculus at all? We have health insurance primarily for “disastrous” health costs from very large health needs. This thing doesn’t sound like it provides child delivery or cancer care.
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- siddharthgoel88 3y agoWhen I read the heading then I was of the view that it is about how high the prices of Telehealth is but it was other way. Is it just me or anyone else also feels that the prices are pretty high? Does the article talks about Specialist or General Practitioners? Disclaimer: I work as a Software Engineer for a Telehealth company
- jimmaswell 3y agoIt can be kind of high in other contexts too in my experience. I've been using a place called adhdonline for my medication and the zoom meetings (every 3 months after the first month) are $169, no insurance accepted, and my insurance won't reimburse it either. It was a lifesaver being able to find this place since doing the whole procedure of getting medication in-person seemed too daunting, thanks to the adhd. I could find an in person place now that my insurance wouldn't discriminate against but this service is too convenient.
- pstuart 3y agoIt's also often cheaper to pay cash for meds vs insurance+copay.
- DoreenMichele 3y agoI'm glad to see this. There is a huge need for something like this, so much so people routinely ask health-related questions in online forums which routinely have poor policies for how to handle such questions. Frequently, someone claiming to a medical professional tries to bully everyone into accepting their answer as the only acceptable answer. Weird online social dynamics exacerbate the problem. If you aren't verifying medical credentials, anyone can claim any expertise, whether framing real credentials in the most impressive fashion they can spin doctor it without lying or outright lying. It's a broken system. Hopefully, services like this where you pay a small fee and you know it's an actual medical professional will serve to start filling in some of those gaps.
- karaterobot 3y agoWell, it's probably pretty good. I believe I trust Costco to provide a quality service more than I trust most doctor's offices.
- lotsofpulp 3y agoToo bad Costco (Costco employees) is not providing the service. It a different company called Sesame, and I do not typically lend Costco's reputation to vendors they endorse.
- tzahifadida 3y agoHere in Israel, healthcare is free. There is nothing like the comfort of knowing that no matter what, you will be taken care of. You can't buy that for 29$...
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- waynecochran 3y agoHow long do you have to wait to see a doctor? Also, are they any good?
- MagicMoonlight 3y agoI don’t know if you can use an argument about waiting times if most of your country can’t go at all due to the cost. I’m sure anywhere could have no waiting times if you take away the patients.
- gretch 3y ago> I don’t know if you can use an argument about waiting times if most of your country can’t go at all due to the cost. This is a crazy comment. Man asked 2 simple follow up questions. Did not “use an argument”. Also, what do you presume his/her country to be such that most can’t go due to the cost? I don’t remember them stating a place of origin.
- Auracle 3y agoNowhere near "most of our country" (in the US) can't go at all due to the cost.
- tzahifadida 3y agoTimes are depending on priority and payments. I.e. If you don't pay anything then you are seen in either FIFO or depending how serious it is. Your family doctor also has a say on priorities. If you pay about 15$ a month then you can have 3 appointments a year with every private doctor you want. Also, you have priorities in private surgeries. If you don't have premium insurance and you want a private doctor then it can cost about 150$ for 1 appointment. So everyone practically pays the 15$. Plus, children up to 18 don't have to pay the premium they automatically insured in premium. Children have full dental free care up to 18 years. No problems with appointments if you have priority (like immediate pain or something). The specialized doctors (heart brain etc...) are all encouraged to do a post doctoral for a year in Canada or US so they are pretty good.
- ftxbro 3y agoWelcome to Costco I love you.
- b20000 3y agoi still don’t get why people don’t sign up for kaiser if they have no health care.
- ttt3ts 3y agoFor one they are only in a couple states....
- tacocataco 3y agoI'm currently between opportunities and could qualify for food stamps. I don't get them because I come down with a intense depression every time I interact with the safety net. No one cares, you must obligate them. This FACT is constantly shoved in your face throughout the entire process. Automatic rejection when you first apply (you must appeal), Means testing, Constant reapplying to extend benefits. The people running food banks are way nice though. Seamless sign up, no run around, no hassle, just friendly help and compassion. Unfortunately these types of people don't make life worth it, like spitting in a ocean.
- CryptoBanker 3y agoProbably because it's only available in 7 states
- counternotions 3y agoIdiocracy called it. Costco law school soon.
- roschdal 3y agoVirtual Imaginary health care for 29,99. How very late stage capitalism.
- bezout 3y agoIf US insists on keeping healthcare private I’d expect soon or later for these money-sucking “health” insurance companies to be replaced by VC-money-sucking tech companies offering a fairly priced subscription for accessing drugs and treatments. The only obstacle is - and it’s a big one - drugs and health insurance companies crying out to the gov about how tech companies are stealing their lunch and they should broke down.
- sharno 3y agoI'm wishing now for this to happen. At least for now tech companies are pricing things a bit more fairly
- zebnyc 3y agoI have health insurance and a costco membership. I would totally use it if they cap the price at $29. Anything has to be better than the virtual visit that I had with OneMedical last year. Story time: I needed a prescription refill and I booked with a nurse practitioner through OneMedical. During my appointment, within the first couple of minutes I told the nurse the prescription that I needed. She then spent ten minutes asking filler questions about my medical history which had nothing to the drugs which I was requesting. Then she sends the prescription to my pharmacy. So far so good. OneMedical then bills me bloody $220 for this visit. Later on I found out that this nurse practitioner was employed by OneMedical. I figured I would call their office to ask how they can justify these prices. When I call their billing department, they kept hanging up / disconnecting on me. When I reached out to them on their website, they are blaming my insurance company for my large bill. At no time before I booked my visit was I informed how much I would have to pay despite asking repeatedly. I am all for this costco partnership. Here is hoping that the don't turn into the next OneMedical.
- isawczuk 3y ago$220 to fill prescription is wild. I'm wondering why there are no tech solutions that solve it for a fraction of what you pay
- DoreenMichele 3y agoThe idea is a prescription requires human judgment to decide this is a wise move. If you take out the credentialed human, you might as well just sell it OTC without a prescription.
- hollerith 3y agoThat would be OK with me.
- DoreenMichele 3y agoI don't really care that much either way. Just explaining why, as things stand currently, you aren't likely to get a cheap "tech" solution.
- AussieWog93 3y agoReading this thread in the doctor's office in Australia, where I am getting face to face treatment without paying a cent, and feeling extremely lucky.
- bhoops 3y agoEverytime I experience the Indian medical system, I feel how unorganised, inefficient and corrupt the whole ecosystem is. But then everytime I see posts like these on the US medical system (and UK, Israel etc.), it gets me to think how awesome the Indian medical system is. I dont know much about the US medical system, but I always wonder why just banning all medical insurance be a better system than what is there currently. For those who can't afford, just setup one govt. funded hospital in every district. What am I missing ?
- hobabaObama 3y ago> What am I missing ? Corporate greed.
- fakedang 3y agoThe Indian medical system is extremely bad for the doctors and nurses practicing within, which is why India sees a massive brain drain of medical professionals. Government funded hospitals are a hit or miss. I get better healthcare service in the rural hospital of my mom's hometown, than in the city where they're living. Of course, at least for the large part, the system does not rely much on insurance backends, but for expensive procedures, you better hope you have insurance. That being said, unlike the US, every Indian government has still prioritized healthcare regulation on the cost side.
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- bentt 3y ago“Welcome to Costco. I love you.” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sdNmOOq6T8Y https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sdNmOOq6T8Y