Re:U.S. transition to 988 suicide and crisis lifeline begins...
by lotsofpulp on Saturday July 16, 2022 @09:36PM
(#32123614)
>This idea that individuals shouldn't be market participants is a broken assertion that underlies much of our healthcare dysfunction
I do not assert this. I would much prefer transparent pricing and people being able to shop around.
> In the situation you're describing, the "insurance" company has zero market leverage over the ambulance provider, and so you're championing a specious "negotiation".
If this was true, then the ambulance company would not have accepted $500, and would instead demand the $12k they billed. It may be that the leverage is simply political or PR, but it must exist in order for them to come down from their fantasy list price.
I agree with your last paragraph, and that is the situation as of recent due to new laws passed about surprise billing and out of network restrictions for emergencies. As well as publicly listed prices.
I do not assert this. I would much prefer transparent pricing and people being able to shop around.
> In the situation you're describing, the "insurance" company has zero market leverage over the ambulance provider, and so you're championing a specious "negotiation".
If this was true, then the ambulance company would not have accepted $500, and would instead demand the $12k they billed. It may be that the leverage is simply political or PR, but it must exist in order for them to come down from their fantasy list price.
I agree with your last paragraph, and that is the situation as of recent due to new laws passed about surprise billing and out of network restrictions for emergencies. As well as publicly listed prices.