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> Even if you eliminated all profit margins of insurers you only decrease medical costs in the US by a tiny fraction This is completely wrong. A general pract

by jjav 2y ago

> Even if you eliminated all profit margins of insurers you only decrease medical costs in the US by a tiny fraction This is completely wrong. A general practicioner doctor is unlikely to be making much more than 300K, or $144/hr. But my visit to said doctor costs $450 for 15 minutes, or $1800/hr. Many people are making a fortune out of the system, the money is not going to the person doing useful work, the doctor. Where is the other $1656/hr disappearing? Eliminate all those grifters from the loop and I could go see this doctor for $36 per 15min visit. Heck I wouldn't even need insurance, I can pay that out of pocket. Sure, I'm ignoring rent/utilities/supplies, so it'd be a bit more than $36 but those costs are a tiny percentage. In any case it'd be less than $50, far below the current $450.

energy123 2y ago
You say it's wrong but then don't do your working properly. The $1656 isn't going to the insurer. Read the article.
bandrami 2y ago
You're mixing up which way the money goes. The doctor's practice or hospital gets the extra $1656, from the insurer. That's the problem.
- jjav 2y ago
  Then the solution is obvious. The government can pay this doctor their 300K salary directly out of taxes and we cut out everyone else. Win/win for everyone who matters.
  - bandrami 2y ago
    Massachusetts is trying essentially this and should have the initial results by the end of they FY. I'm hopeful.
- ceejayoz 2y ago
  > The doctor's practice or hospital gets the extra $1656, from the insurer. No, they don't. Insurance pays out their negotiated rate of like $100 for that 15 minute appointment. (Which likely has some pre- and post-appointment work involved. My doc has clearly at least skimmed my chart prior, and I get a written note later. I'm also seen by a nurse initially.) The rates have to be obscenely high on paper so the insurer gets their big win negotiating. The rest just... evaporates. https://imgur.com/a/X5oLXgr https://imgur.com/a/X5oLXgr

by jjav 2y ago

energy123 2y ago

You say it's wrong but then don't do your working properly. The $1656 isn't going to the insurer. Read the article.

bandrami 2y ago

You're mixing up which way the money goes. The doctor's practice or hospital gets the extra $1656, from the insurer. That's the problem.

jjav 2y ago
Then the solution is obvious. The government can pay this doctor their 300K salary directly out of taxes and we cut out everyone else. Win/win for everyone who matters.
- bandrami 2y ago
  Massachusetts is trying essentially this and should have the initial results by the end of they FY. I'm hopeful.
ceejayoz 2y ago
> The doctor's practice or hospital gets the extra $1656, from the insurer. No, they don't. Insurance pays out their negotiated rate of like $100 for that 15 minute appointment. (Which likely has some pre- and post-appointment work involved. My doc has clearly at least skimmed my chart prior, and I get a written note later. I'm also seen by a nurse initially.) The rates have to be obscenely high on paper so the insurer gets their big win negotiating. The rest just... evaporates. https://imgur.com/a/X5oLXgr https://imgur.com/a/X5oLXgr