What’s it cost?
January 6, 2013 by nancy_barto
If you are like me, whether it’s a new car or soap for the dishwasher, you compare prices before buying. Why don’t we do the same with our health care?
Maybe it’s because the price of health care is so difficult to pin down … and the system is built to keep it that way. Nevertheless, one journalist recently embraced the challenge. His story is here: “Trying to Find the Cost of Medical Procedure? Good Luck!”
His final advice? “If you really have to pay attention to price because you have a high-deductible or high-tiered plan, then do a lot of deep breathing. Just be ready for a long struggle that will take some patience.”
It shouldn’t be this difficult. And with even Massachusetts pushing for real price transparency (in order to lower costs), it won’t be this difficult for very much longer. In fact, Arizona could very well be next.
Cash-paying patients and employers who hire them are calling for full disclosure – or at least more disclosure of the cost for the most common health care services. This session my legislation, SB 1115, ensures more transparent prices for the most common health care services!
The good news? The obvious need for transparency is hard to oppose, so SB 1115 is enjoying bi-partisan support and heading for final votes in the House. Here is the latest press on the bill from ABC-15. It shouldn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat, the ever-escalating cost of health care demands patients be able to shop and compare prices just like they do for any other service or product.
Read Forbes’ piece on the issue - on the demise of last year’s bill.
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