Make doctors and hospitals PUBLISH rates, everyone pays the same rate. No "group discount" everyone is in the SAME group, everyone gets that discount.
This way I can shop around to see just how much all the ITEMS cost and make decisions based on actual costs as opposed to estimates and unknown items. Getting 4 bills for my operation was just stupid. Getting billed for an Xray for a normal visit because the insurance company decided that it's a different company so it's covered differently and I pay that out of my own pocket, I guess when I'm being wheeled on a gurney I need to ask what is and isn't covered by my insurance BEFORE they provide service.
Finally, pay. I'm now on 80/20 instead of the $10 copay. I can tell you that it's more painful to pay for the 20% but I am much more thoughtful in going to the doctor or dentist. Much more thoughtful.
---------- Post added at 07:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:41 PM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Derwood
there's zero competition on an individual level because almost everyone's insurance is through their employer. If your company says "we're switching from Blue Cross/Blue Shield to Cigna this year", you don't have a whole lot of choice in the matter (unless you want to drop your company insurance and pay double to get it individually)
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Most employers I have been employed by have 2 or 3 different plans, basic, middle tier and most expensive tier. All with different companies.
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