I heard a story the other day. Don't know whether it's apocryphal or not, here it is.
A guy needed a surgical procedure. He was hooked up to the IV and ready to go. The anesthesiologist comes in to the pre-surgical waiting area to introduce himself and explain what's about to happen. The patient listens intently, asks a few questions.
The anesthesiologist is about to leave.
Patient: "One more question, doc, do you take my insurance?"
Anesthesiologist: "I'm not sure."
Patient: "I'm not going anywhere until I know what this will cost."
These are the questions Mr. Bush wants you to ask. This is also the future of healthcare in America. Mr. Bush spews the tired bullshit that market forces and price transparency will solve all the problems.
But as we know, there is virtually no price transparency in healthcare, despite what Mr. Bush says.
Today, I'm going to introduce you to the future as envisioned by Mr. Bush and sadly even quite a few Democrats. There is nothing inherently wrong with price transparency. But no one should believe that knowing the cost of a medical procedure, office visit or test is the magic bullet which will fix our collapsed healthcare system.
Healthcare price transparency:
I thought you'd like to take the opportunity to add your own healthcare costs to a nifty healthcare cost web site called, OUTOFPOCKET.COM It's all consumer generated information, so you'll be helping your fellow beleaguered Americans by adding your own healthcare costs.
You might consider posting prices you've paid for routine health care services, (including MRIs, mammograms, X-rays, lab tests, vaccinations, dental, vision and office visits), along with any personal recommendations you care to share on the hospital, clinic or doctor's office.
I'll start. I had an MRI a while ago. I just received the bill from the hospital, it's a whopping $2522.19. I'm now fighting with the insurance company which pre-authorized the test, but then advised the hospital that they were declining payment. So, after this is resolved (and I sure as hell ain't paying), I'll post on OUTOFPOCKET.COM all the details.
Keep in mind, my bill does not include the additional cost of the radiologist for reading the damn MRI. So the radiologist price will receive a separate entry.
Here's a link to the FAQ section.
A caveat. We are all vehemently opposed to consumer directed junk insurance, which its proponents Mr. Bush insist works well when it is coupled with price transparency which of course does not exist in the United States.
If there were a shred of healthcare price transparency, there would not be a need for places like OUTOFPOCKET.COM.
I also don't think adding data to this site, aids and abets the slime merchants pushing junk insurance. Rather, in the short term at least, it could help Americans in desperate need of healthcare but at the financial breaking point.
Bottom line. Accessing healthcare should not be like going to a car dealer and bargaining for a car--but this is what it's become in the United States.
OUTOFPOCKET.COM just like the VISA Healthcare Gift Card, are devastating indictments of our collapsed health system.