The US health system is corrupt ... The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you

[Denizen]

Hidden prices are not the only sign of corruption in the US health industry encompassing hospitals and insurers.

The reason prices are high is that it benefits both hospitals and insurers as both make bigger profits from higher prices and over-servicing. Neither of these entities has an interest in improving the efficiency and lowering the cost of medical services.

Another factor is the rising percentage of non-medical staff in the US health services business which currently stands at 47% of the medical industry workforce and rising.

Pharmaceutical prices are high and non-competitive forcing many Americans to buy medicines during overseas trips where the price is a fraction of US prices.

The problems with the US health industry are growing and not declining as more and more Americans face difficulties in meeting their medical costs.

The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you

The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you
By Brian BlaseMay 23, 2020 | 8:12am | Updated

In health care, most prices are hidden. Earlier this month, big, profitable hospital systems were in court to make sure that American patients remain in the dark, challenging a Trump administration rule that would require them to publicize prices, including those negotiated with insurance companies.

No other industry is fighting to hide prices from consumers. When given pricing information, people know how to shop for value. With websites like Amazon and Kayak, Americans use price information to secure the best deals. This forces providers to compete by lowering prices and improving quality. Health-care markets don’t work like this.

Imagine going to the grocery store to buy milk, bread and butter, but without any prices. You check out and the grocer tells you that your bill will come in a few weeks. In about a month, you get both an explanation of grocery benefits from your insurer and a bill from the grocer for $150.

You know this can’t be right — a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread and a pack of butter can’t cost this much. You call your insurer, and they ask what you are complaining about. Without their discount, you would have paid $250. They saved you $100! ...

 

[fncceo]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

 

[Denizen]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

 

[fncceo]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

 

[Denizen]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

The "bulk" "discounts" are a sham and they have no relationship to the principle of buying goods in bulk. They are not supplied in bulk and they are just a means of disadvantaging uninsured individuals.

 

[fncceo]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

The "bulk" "discounts" are a sham and they have no relationship to the principle of buying goods in bulk. They are not supplied in bulk and they are just a means of disadvantaging uninsured individuals.

Every major medical procedure requires hundreds to thousands of $ in consumables and pharmaceuticals. Purchasing in bulk definitely applies.

Of course, if you'd rather participate in a more simplified and affordable health care plan ...

 

[Bruce Daniels]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

And if you're having a heart attack, should you call around for the best price?

 

[Bruce Daniels]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

The "bulk" "discounts" are a sham and they have no relationship to the principle of buying goods in bulk. They are not supplied in bulk and they are just a means of disadvantaging uninsured individuals.

Every major medical procedure requires hundreds to thousands of $ in consumables and pharmaceuticals. Purchasing in bulk definitely applies.

Of course, if you'd rather participate in a more simplified and affordable health care plan ...

Why does every other developed country in the world have universal health care that's affordable? Why?

 

[fncceo]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

And if you're having a heart attack, should you call around for the best price?

If you have heart disease, you should have done that years ago.

 

[Deplorable Yankee]

Hidden prices are not the only sign of corruption in the US health industry encompassing hospitals and insurers.

The reason prices are high is that it benefits both hospitals and insurers as both make bigger profits from higher prices and over-servicing. Neither of these entities has an interest in improving the efficiency and lowering the cost of medical services.

Another factor is the rising percentage of non-medical staff in the US health services business which currently stands at 47% of the medical industry workforce and rising.

Pharmaceutical prices are high and non-competitive forcing many Americans to buy medicines during overseas trips where the price is a fraction of US prices.

The problems with the US health industry are growing and not declining as more and more Americans face difficulties in meeting their medical costs.

The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you

The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you
By Brian BlaseMay 23, 2020 | 8:12am | Updated

In health care, most prices are hidden. Earlier this month, big, profitable hospital systems were in court to make sure that American patients remain in the dark, challenging a Trump administration rule that would require them to publicize prices, including those negotiated with insurance companies.

No other industry is fighting to hide prices from consumers. When given pricing information, people know how to shop for value. With websites like Amazon and Kayak, Americans use price information to secure the best deals. This forces providers to compete by lowering prices and improving quality. Health-care markets don’t work like this.

Imagine going to the grocery store to buy milk, bread and butter, but without any prices. You check out and the grocer tells you that your bill will come in a few weeks. In about a month, you get both an explanation of grocery benefits from your insurer and a bill from the grocer for $150.

You know this can’t be right — a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread and a pack of butter can’t cost this much. You call your insurer, and they ask what you are complaining about. Without their discount, you would have paid $250. They saved you $100! ...

When I was a little younger I wiped on a horse
It wasn't that bad BUT my hand was full of splinters ....like a ridiculous amount of splinters some under the finger nails

It was a one and a million that when I landed and started sliding thier was an old kinda mushy rotted piece of wood I grabbed

My wife was still alive we got most of em out but I couldn't get the ones under the fingernails out ...i tried everything....

Miserable night....its throbbing friggin torture ...... morning ....Sunday morning upstate ny ...I'm out the door by myself before anyone up and right to the nearest er

Long story short
Instead of being billed 1000 bucks or my insurance company for a doctor with a better pair of tweezers than what I had on hand I said I'm paying cash now ...75 bucks

The emergency room was empty they had nuttin better to do


Always ask can I pay cash

 

[fncceo]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

The "bulk" "discounts" are a sham and they have no relationship to the principle of buying goods in bulk. They are not supplied in bulk and they are just a means of disadvantaging uninsured individuals.

Every major medical procedure requires hundreds to thousands of $ in consumables and pharmaceuticals. Purchasing in bulk definitely applies.

Of course, if you'd rather participate in a more simplified and affordable health care plan ...

Why does every other developed country in the world have universal health care that's affordable? Why?

You're free to move there and send us a report.

 

[there4eyeM]

Better, more available health care at roughly half the cost is entirely possible (once lobbies are put in their place).

 

[Bruce Daniels]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

And if you're having a heart attack, should you call around for the best price?

If you have heart disease, you should have done that years ago.

And if you don't know that you have heart disease, then what?

 

[fncceo]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

And if you're having a heart attack, should you call around for the best price?

If you have heart disease, you should have done that years ago.

And if you don't know that you have heart disease, then what?

You're not getting regular checkups. Get better insurance.

 

[Bruce Daniels]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

The "bulk" "discounts" are a sham and they have no relationship to the principle of buying goods in bulk. They are not supplied in bulk and they are just a means of disadvantaging uninsured individuals.

Every major medical procedure requires hundreds to thousands of $ in consumables and pharmaceuticals. Purchasing in bulk definitely applies.

Of course, if you'd rather participate in a more simplified and affordable health care plan ...

Why does every other developed country in the world have universal health care that's affordable? Why?

You're free to move there and send us a report.

Not an answer.

 

[there4eyeM]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

The "bulk" "discounts" are a sham and they have no relationship to the principle of buying goods in bulk. They are not supplied in bulk and they are just a means of disadvantaging uninsured individuals.

Every major medical procedure requires hundreds to thousands of $ in consumables and pharmaceuticals. Purchasing in bulk definitely applies.

Of course, if you'd rather participate in a more simplified and affordable health care plan ...

Why does every other developed country in the world have universal health care that's affordable? Why?

You're free to move there and send us a report.

Not an answer.

Oh, it's an answer, just not a solution.

 

[wamose]

Government should require hospitals and other medical providers to make their prices public. That isn't like price fixing. It's more like encouraging competition. Then if someone decides a certain hospital is worth double what another is, they are free to spend the extra money for their treatment. But the liberal solution is just like their minimum wage solution that they're also wrong on. Competition will result in better medical prices and also higher wages. Government meddling results in higher prices, lower wages and loss of freedom.

 

[gipper]

Hidden prices are not the only sign of corruption in the US health industry encompassing hospitals and insurers.

The reason prices are high is that it benefits both hospitals and insurers as both make bigger profits from higher prices and over-servicing. Neither of these entities has an interest in improving the efficiency and lowering the cost of medical services.

Another factor is the rising percentage of non-medical staff in the US health services business which currently stands at 47% of the medical industry workforce and rising.

Pharmaceutical prices are high and non-competitive forcing many Americans to buy medicines during overseas trips where the price is a fraction of US prices.

The problems with the US health industry are growing and not declining as more and more Americans face difficulties in meeting their medical costs.

The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you

The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you
By Brian BlaseMay 23, 2020 | 8:12am | Updated

In health care, most prices are hidden. Earlier this month, big, profitable hospital systems were in court to make sure that American patients remain in the dark, challenging a Trump administration rule that would require them to publicize prices, including those negotiated with insurance companies.

No other industry is fighting to hide prices from consumers. When given pricing information, people know how to shop for value. With websites like Amazon and Kayak, Americans use price information to secure the best deals. This forces providers to compete by lowering prices and improving quality. Health-care markets don’t work like this.

Imagine going to the grocery store to buy milk, bread and butter, but without any prices. You check out and the grocer tells you that your bill will come in a few weeks. In about a month, you get both an explanation of grocery benefits from your insurer and a bill from the grocer for $150.

You know this can’t be right — a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread and a pack of butter can’t cost this much. You call your insurer, and they ask what you are complaining about. Without their discount, you would have paid $250. They saved you $100! ...

HC is so expensive now that Medicare For All would be cheaper, to say nothing about providing all Americans access to HC. Of course the knee jerk reaction to this by many on the right and left, is oh we can’t afford that. Or, that’s socialism. LOL.

The system we have is another proof the extremely wealthy run the government. They make enormous profits off our corrupt for-profit HC system. They demand the status quo continues. They usually get what they want.

 

[Denizen]

Wait, you're saying that the Hundreds of Billion that get spent on cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques somehow has to get charged back to the poor, sick folks they were intended to cure?

How corrupt is that?!

Your response is "artificially engineered".

People going to a hospital for a minor ailment for which they might get charged $2000 don't want to pay for "cutting edge imaging, research in genetics and next-generation pharmaceutical, artificially engineered replacement organs and robotic surgery techniques" which are not needed for their treatment.

The system is fraudulent when an individual patient cannot get the same rate an insurance company gets for the same treatment and procedure. Hospitals and medical insurers conspire to make individuals pay more than the customers of insurance companies.

There is nothing wrong with insurance companies getting bulk discounts on medical procedures.

If you're going in for repairs, always get a couple of estimates.

The "bulk" "discounts" are a sham and they have no relationship to the principle of buying goods in bulk. They are not supplied in bulk and they are just a means of disadvantaging uninsured individuals.

Every major medical procedure requires hundreds to thousands of $ in consumables and pharmaceuticals. Purchasing in bulk definitely applies.

Of course, if you'd rather participate in a more simplified and affordable health care plan ...

Your response is nonsense. You switched from Medical Insurance providers purportedly purchasing medical services in bulk to Medical service providers purchasing medical goods in bulk by hospitals.

You are an typical MAGAnut extremist with no answers and a hyperactive mouth.

 

[Denizen]

Hidden prices are not the only sign of corruption in the US health industry encompassing hospitals and insurers.

The reason prices are high is that it benefits both hospitals and insurers as both make bigger profits from higher prices and over-servicing. Neither of these entities has an interest in improving the efficiency and lowering the cost of medical services.

Another factor is the rising percentage of non-medical staff in the US health services business which currently stands at 47% of the medical industry workforce and rising.

Pharmaceutical prices are high and non-competitive forcing many Americans to buy medicines during overseas trips where the price is a fraction of US prices.

The problems with the US health industry are growing and not declining as more and more Americans face difficulties in meeting their medical costs.

The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you

The shocking reason hospitals keep their prices a secret from you
By Brian BlaseMay 23, 2020 | 8:12am | Updated

In health care, most prices are hidden. Earlier this month, big, profitable hospital systems were in court to make sure that American patients remain in the dark, challenging a Trump administration rule that would require them to publicize prices, including those negotiated with insurance companies.

No other industry is fighting to hide prices from consumers. When given pricing information, people know how to shop for value. With websites like Amazon and Kayak, Americans use price information to secure the best deals. This forces providers to compete by lowering prices and improving quality. Health-care markets don’t work like this.

Imagine going to the grocery store to buy milk, bread and butter, but without any prices. You check out and the grocer tells you that your bill will come in a few weeks. In about a month, you get both an explanation of grocery benefits from your insurer and a bill from the grocer for $150.

You know this can’t be right — a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread and a pack of butter can’t cost this much. You call your insurer, and they ask what you are complaining about. Without their discount, you would have paid $250. They saved you $100! ...

When I was a little younger I wiped on a horse
It wasn't that bad BUT my hand was full of splinters ....like a ridiculous amount of splinters some under the finger nails

It was a one and a million that when I landed and started sliding thier was an old kinda mushy rotted piece of wood I grabbed

My wife was still alive we got most of em out but I couldn't get the ones under the fingernails out ...i tried everything....

Miserable night....its throbbing friggin torture ...... morning ....Sunday morning upstate ny ...I'm out the door by myself before anyone up and right to the nearest er

Long story short
Instead of being billed 1000 bucks or my insurance company for a doctor with a better pair of tweezers than what I had on hand I said I'm paying cash now ...75 bucks

The emergency room was empty they had nuttin better to do


Always ask can I pay cash

That is free enterprise as it should be. Perhaps you could have cut out the 75 bucks by offering to dispose of some of their mistakes.