Beginning of a health care cost revolution?

[travelover]

Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. The cost of a filling is determined by the material used for the filling and the size of the filling, i.e. the number of surfaces on the tooth.

Getting quotes on dental costs is like pulling teeth.

 

[athena53]

Good point, but [bolds mine] why isn't there data that assesses quality v price? Seems to me there's folks out there tracking data on everything; one would think this would be a valuable effort.

Angie's list offers reviews of doctors and dentists but frankly, I don't know if I trust the average Joe or Jane to evaluate a doctor's or dentist's competence. I can certainly comment on whether they run on time, whether they answer questions, even whether any surgery or treatment was effective, but I'd be concerned that bad reviews of others might not have all the pertinent facts. Did they follow the doctor's recommendations to lose weight, stop smoking, take all the medication?

I trust hotel and restaurant reviews more!

 

[Texas Proud]

Getting quotes on dental costs is like pulling teeth.

I do not know why... our dentist will tell us what every procedure costs... I have asked...

 

[travelover]

I do not know why... our dentist will tell us what every procedure costs... I have asked...

I was referring to costs across a variety of providers, not necessarily one's current dentist.


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[walkinwood]

I wonder about this cost revolution...

Do you really want your important medical operation done by the low-cost bidder ?

If it works like any other online marketplace, the providers and consumers will be rated and develop an online 'reputation'. Then, it isn't just price any more.

The medical industry is opaque in regard to pricing as well as in success metrics.

 

[athena53]

The medical industry is opaque in regard to pricing as well as in success metrics.

Our local newspaper used the National Practitioner database, which includes many details of medical malpractice claims but no doctor names, and did thorough searches of civil records, to identify docs who had licenses suspended in one state but were practicing in our area and still making mistakes. Boy, did that cause a stink.

A year later when I used the database for a work project, I had to agree not to use it with any other database to get the names of the doctors.

 

[travelover]

Our local newspaper used the National Practitioner database, which includes many details of medical malpractice claims but no doctor names, and did thorough searches of civil records, to identify docs who had licenses suspended in one state but were practicing in our area and still making mistakes. Boy, did that cause a stink.

A year later when I used the database for a work project, I had to agree not to use it with any other database to get the names of the doctors.

Oh well, it is not like a lot of people die due to medical errors.

Hospital Errors are the Third Leading Cause of Death in U.S., and New Hospital Safety Scores Show Improvements Are Too Slow

 

[imoldernu]

Medical cost seems to be a vicious circle.
For the most part, not optional but necessary.
Most of the profession is relatively high price. Not just the Doctor, but the specialists and the offices and equipment... Overall a high overhead.
Medical lawsuits are expensive, thus high insurance costs.
This leads to abundance of caution. No prescriptions or treatment without extensive, all inclusive tests of all kinds, as well as (usually) full blood tests.

Add to that the influence of the pharmaceutical companies (perks) and the "good health" bonuses from associated health plans, and we're left with a "take it or leave it option", as a patient.

Perhaps, some time in the future, a more level playing field, but I fear, not in my lifetime. Even the so called advances, such as "talk to the doctor" calling, come with a high price tag.

 

[Texas Proud]

I was referring to costs across a variety of providers, not necessarily one's current dentist.


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Yes, I do not know of any location where you can find the cost of procedures by various dentists around you... BTW, my dentist does call around and gets others prices and will share if you ask... I do not care so I do not ask...


But then again, there are very few items for sale that you can easily get pricing... you have to call each location and ask...

My point was that at least they can give you a price... most doctors cannot tell you what anything would cost if you paid cash...

 

[travelover]

Yes, I do not know of any location where you can find the cost of procedures by various dentists around you... BTW, my dentist does call around and gets others prices and will share if you ask... I do not care so I do not ask...


But then again, there are very few items for sale that you can easily get pricing... you have to call each location and ask...

My point was that at least they can give you a price... most doctors cannot tell you what anything would cost if you paid cash...

Yep, I'd like to be able to type in "cavity filling near zip code XXXXX" and get the cost of 10 dentist within 10 miles of my home or "MRI" and get the cost of 10 facilities nearby.