Proponents of consumerism in health care say simple steps can save patients a lot of money. Skeptics say the system is too complex for shopping to pay off in most cases.
Excellent articles written by Dr. Herrick and Dr. Frost were published this morning in the Wall Street Journal, reflecting on the difficulty that consumers face regarding their out of pocket healthcare expenses.
Dr. Herrick indicates one should start with his or her physician. Dr. Frost mentions
“A single, well-informed and motivated consumer who needs an expensive elective procedure may be able to spend time researching and save money by shopping for the lowest price possible, but this scenario is the exception rather than the norm.”
The problem correctly stated by both authors is that pursuing elective healthcare treatment and understanding the costs is a complex proposition for the lay person to engage upon.
Allowing doctors to act as BROKER’S of healthcare expenses on behalf of consumers would be a small but significant step in improving the ability of patients to make better decisions in their out of pocket health care expenses. This would require relaxing regulatory constraints on outdated Stark, self-referral and anti-competitive laws that currently prohibit doctors from engaging in activity in which they are most expert.
More to follow. See recent Wall Street Journal on small steps incremental changes in healthcare law, not home runs.
Donald Altman, M.D. M.B.A.
Irvine, California
