A new service has launched in Washington State. PriceDoc is a new website which allows you to shop providers for the best deals for a number of services. It also allows a limited soft of bidding when you can name your highest price and providers (doctors) can bid for your services. I think it is a very interesting idea and fits the spirit of the retail healthcare delivery model.
I encourage you to check it out.
[From PriceDoc - Better Price + Better Healthcare.]
2 comments:
Actually, I get your drift but wonder if your retail message is misleading and otherwise associated with hospital or medical services 'sticker shock', i.e., the retail basis of the billed amounts. Perhaps the message should be how to access 'wholesale rates' i.e., the so called 'fair value' of medical services as determined by largest purchasers with the greatest group purchasing leverage in the community.
For a related post; see: http://2healthguru.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/towards-a-preferred-hospitals-manifesto/
Tenants of a retail model:
1. Demand for services is spread across a large enough base of people who can negotiate for best price. This is counter to the current insurance network negotiation model where only a few insurers are negotiating actively.
2. Prices can be variable based on supply and demand.
3. Prices are quoted up front and become a contract between you and the provider within reasonable limits of the procedure.
My thought is opening a direct transparent retail channel between the consumer (holding an HSA CDHP account) and the provider without the insurance company acting as a pass through will drive down prices for everyone. This does not address the idea of universal access but it can serve to drive out cost allowing further accessibility for others with less dollars to spend.
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