Compare prices on health care

[Onward]

PriceDoc is one of several sites that give consumers the ability to shop for procedures ranging from a colonoscopy to teeth whitening. In some cases, the sites allow consumers to negotiate with providers.

Websites help patients compare prices for health care - USATODAY.com

 

[RonBoyd]

Living in Denver, I would think that there would be a wide selection of doctors to choose from. I tried a couple of different procedures and the same list came up every time. Colonoscopy, for instance: The closest doctor participating in the program is in Kansas City, 549.5 miles away. In addition, the top three (#3 is Glenview IL, 902.5 miles) has a "Request your cash price" button the requires you to fill out a form (eMail & name only) that the doctor will use to get back to you. Not very useful, I guess, for comparison shopping.

Most interesting, however, was that the price of Colonoscopy (from those Docs that gave that info) was $1,600 but... one had a price of $99. This was in Seattle WA (1,023.8 miles); Qliance - Primary Care Specialists.

Special conditions at this price: Qliance is like a health club membership, but for health care. Your membership gives you unrestricted access to your Qliance clinician and services for one monthly fee. Qliance charges a one-time registration fee of $99 per family which will be charged upon registration. Your monthly care fee covers the primary and preventive care services described on the Services page of our website. Should a family member choose to join Qliance, their registration fee will be waived. Qliance offers two levels of patient care, this is information about our 1st level of patient care. Monthly fees are: Children (0-19) $44, (20-29) $50, (30-39) $59, (40-49) $64, (50-59) $69, (60-64) $74, (65 plus) $84.

First, they must not accept Medicare -- $1,008 per year if you are over 65. Nevertheless, this, certainly, seems like an alternative to high cost insurance -- or, at least, worth looking into.