Hospital Price lists

[KC Catfish]

Hey yall,

We might be entering a new era of individual health. With the Individual Indemnity Benefit plans, like those of Philadelphia American's Gold Plan and others, and the newest law to hit the books this year. More affordable individual health insurance might be just around the corner.

The newest regulation requires Hospitals to post a complete price list, in excel format, online. What this allows for us as agents is to match these cash value policies with the client's local hospital costs.

Unfortunately this process will not be easy. As hospitals are more than happy to sit non compliant since it will revert attention from 'the greedy insurance companies' to 'the self aggrandizing hospitals' if they have to list the price of a band aid.

Tell me what you think. Can the public retain their right to vote with their wallets with this new transparency, or should we just socialize the whole thing and let regulators decide the way of things?

New Law Requires All U.S. Hospitals Post Complete Price Lists Online

 

[somarco]

Why is price transparency a benefit to consumers with health insurance? The argument in favor of transparency has always amused me. This is a scheme dreamed up by folks who have absolutely no clue how health care financing actually works.

The lists can be massive; some hospitals listed more than 40,000 prices for procedures, services, drugs, medical devices, and other items.

Massive is a bit of an understatement.

And what is the purpose for having hospitals post pricing when the bulk of claims (number and dollar amount) are mostly OUTPATIENT?

Just another stupid idea from the government.