If You Have to Ask…?

A while back I shared my experience as a patient. Journalist Royce Flippin had a similar experience and uses it to discuss the need for transparency in health care pricing.

Very few patients ask about charges prior to receiving care. Notice I said charges not cost. These are not the same. Charges are the exorbitantly inflated amounts providers “charge” for things like band-aids, tongue depressors, facial tissues, and medications. The transparency accompanying “list” pricing would allow patients to compare services and seek real value in health care. Knowing that the guy next to you in the waiting room paid half what you did would encourage fair pricing and stop the traditional usurious pricing.

As we head toward health care reform remember to insist that your legislators allow real market forces to be active.

It’s your health care. Take it seriously and take charge.

Le Treatment

Guy Sorman over at Medical Progress Today writes about the experiences Sara Paretsky and her husband had under French health care.

Although the care appeared “reasonably priced” Sorman nicely summarizes how the care Paretsky’s husband received is subsidized by everyone including Americans. In essence the French government runs health care. Much of the profit and entrepreneurism is removed, limited, or prohibited. The cost to employers of health care limits the employability of unskilled laborers and hence pushes unemployment up (approximiately 10%).

The bottom line is that health care always has a cost. The idea that having insurance will solve costs is pure folly. Limiting bureaucracy and “middle men” might lower costs. Even if those costs are limited with what would we replace the 15% of GNP that health care constitutes? Could shrinking our economy by 15% be good?

There are some things each of us could do:
1) Always ask if the diagnostic study or treatment will actually improve your lifespan or lifestyle.
2) In the case of diagnostic studies always ask if the study will alter therapy.
3) Always ask if the doctor receives any payment related to the diagnosis or therapy beyond what you and your insurance company pay for the immediate visit.

These questions, and others, will allow you to make a positive impact on your own health care costs.

It’s your health take it seriously and be active.

http://www.medicalprogresstoday.com/spotlight/spotlight_indarchive.php?id=1819