White House unveils rules requiring online disclosure of hospital prices

[longknife]

The Trump administration on Friday unveiled new rules to require increased disclosure of health care prices, in a move officials said would drive down costs by increasing competition.

One regulation would require hospitals to provide a consumer-friendly online page where prices are listed for 300 common procedures like X-rays and lab tests. A second regulation would require insurers to provide an online tool where people could compare their out-of-pocket costs at different medical providers before receiving treatment.

Got it?

What does an X-ray cost?

But… what does the hospital charge the insurance company versus what it would accept if the individual paid out-of-pocket?

As always, the Executive Order is a start but the details make all the difference.

Insurers have argued that price transparency could actually drive prices higher if low-cost hospitals can see that competitors are getting higher prices, and seek to raise them. Azar called that argument a “canard” and said in every other industry, price competition drives prices lower, not higher.

The same complaint BigPharma makes about the EO calling for opening of drug prices.

More @ White House unveils rules requiring online disclosure of hospital prices

 

[dblack]

The problem isn't lack of information. The reason hospitals don't post prices is because no one gives a shit. The vast majority of health care consumers are either a) insured, and don't care how much it costs because they're not paying for it. Or b) not insured and can't afford it all - and don't care what it costs because they're not paying for it.

 

[Monk-Eye]

" Because Wise Shopping Drives Down Pricing "

* Passive Aggressive Extorsion *

The problem isn't lack of information. The reason hospitals don't post prices is because no one gives a shit. The vast majority of health care consumers are either a) insured, and don't care how much it costs because they're not paying for it. Or b) not insured and can't afford it all - and don't care what it costs because they're not paying for it.

The reason hospitals do not post the costs for procedure information is because they try to get as much as they can from whoever they can based upon how much each or their providers are willing or able to pay .

In the midst of a bluffing game , attempts are made to shift the costs for someone who cannot pay to those who can pay , and any funds that cannot be collected are writing off as a business loss .

One might also be shocked at the difference between costs for procedures if paid with cash versus paid with insurance .

 

[dblack]

" Because Wise Shopping Drives Down Pricing "

* Passive Aggressive Extorsion *

The problem isn't lack of information. The reason hospitals don't post prices is because no one gives a shit. The vast majority of health care consumers are either a) insured, and don't care how much it costs because they're not paying for it. Or b) not insured and can't afford it all - and don't care what it costs because they're not paying for it.

The reason hospitals do not post the costs for procedure information is because they try to get as much as they can from whoever they can based upon how much each or their providers are willing or able to pay .

In the midst of a bluffing game , attempts are made to shift the costs for someone who cannot pay to those who can pay , and any funds that cannot be collected are writing off as a business loss .

One might also be shocked at the difference between costs for procedures if paid with cash versus paid with insurance .

All that's true, I suppose. But you're skipping over the elephant in the room: most health care consumers don't care. They have no reason to, because they're not paying for it.

 

[Monk-Eye]

" Consumer Spending "

* Entire Health Care System Is Questionably Solvent *

All that's true, I suppose. But you're skipping over the elephant in the room: most health care consumers don't care. They have no reason to, because they're not paying for it.

The money has to come from somewhere and policy holders have to be paying for it by way of higher costs for their plans .

The us government hands out millions and billions for aimless causes and pretends that the national debt is imaginary .

What Are the Costs of the Trump Tax Cuts to You?

 

[dblack]

" Consumer Spending "

* Entire Health Care System Is Questionably Solvent *

All that's true, I suppose. But you're skipping over the elephant in the room: most health care consumers don't care. They have no reason to, because they're not paying for it.

The money has to come from somewhere and policy holders have to be paying for it by way of higher costs for their plans.

Oh yeah, they pay eventually. We all do. But the immediate costs are hidden from consumers. Even the costs of the actual premiums are hidden from most of us because employers subsidize it. The entire system is designed to keep patients ignorant and dependent. Forcing hospitals to publicize prices is a drop in the bucket.

 

[Polishprince]

The problem isn't lack of information. The reason hospitals don't post prices is because no one gives a shit. The vast majority of health care consumers are either a) insured, and don't care how much it costs because they're not paying for it. Or b) not insured and can't afford it all - and don't care what it costs because they're not paying for it.

Most people don't care.

But if you do care, and you give a call to Cleveland Clinic or UPMC and ask them how much it is for a colonoscopy or an EEG, you won't get an answer.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

The problem isn't lack of information. The reason hospitals don't post prices is because no one gives a shit. The vast majority of health care consumers are either a) insured, and don't care how much it costs because they're not paying for it. Or b) not insured and can't afford it all - and don't care what it costs because they're not paying for it.

and so the solution to make everyone pay for health care even if the govt has to give some money to consumers who cant afford it. This would reduce prices about 75%. Imagine the prices of cars if we had libsocialism there too!!!

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

The problem isn't lack of information. The reason hospitals don't post prices is because no one gives a shit. The vast majority of health care consumers are either a) insured, and don't care how much it costs because they're not paying for it. Or b) not insured and can't afford it all - and don't care what it costs because they're not paying for it.

Most people don't care.

But if you do care, and you give a call to Cleveland Clinic or UPMC and ask them how much it is for a colonoscopy or an EEG, you won't get an answer.

we could simply makes posted prices a legal requirement and cut prices in half. Amazing we are too stupid to do it. It makes you wonder how America survives at all with so much liberal ignorance around .