> Should there be surge pricing in, IDK, healthcare? There are no "shoulds" in life – if you want to offer healthcare services under a surge model, go nuts – b

> Should there be surge pricing in, IDK, healthcare? There are no "shoulds" in life – if you want to offer healthcare services under a surge model, go nuts – but it is unlikely that surge pricing would be beneficial in healthcare. Surge pricing meant to incentivize shifting some activity to another time of day. Routine healthcare needs are generally already scheduled by appointment to ensure appropriate distribution. As such, there are no surges. Unexpected healthcare needs may encounter surges, but as they are not expected, a higher price doesn't alter incentives. Nobody wants to have unexpected healthcare needs in the first place. They aren't thinking "You know, a hospital visit is cheaper at 11AM. That's when I'll choose to break my arm!" Without that, you don't gain anything with surge pricing. But someone thinking "You know, lunch is cheaper at 11AM. That's when I'm going to start eating lunch!" is quite realistic and beneficial to the restaurant. And, indeed, surge pricing is nothing new for restaurants for exactly that reason. Of course, traditionally, they have called it "happy hour" rather than "surge pricing", but the idea is the same.