the hospital's cost are going to vary widely depending on a multitude of factors, and the cost of their supplies is going to vary depending on brand, type, etc... Even in veterinary medicine, where we have a bit less variation in that regard, prices can vary even within the same city or the type of clinic. It's cheaper for me to go have a full lameness exam done on my horse here in Kansas than it is for my cat back home to go be tested for hyperthyroidism. While the cat had blood work done, the horse was at the clinic all day (and munched some hay while I was in class) and requires much more time and labor to work with. We were in and out with the cat in 30 min (particularly since he was such a good boy).
But yes...they definitely should be more forthcoming with cost estimations, at least for specific procedures. I know there are veterinarians who have such costs posted for usual procedures like spays and neuters and vaccinations. But, then again, it's much more pertinent to an animal owner, as very few animals have health insurance.
But yes...they definitely should be more forthcoming with cost estimations, at least for specific procedures. I know there are veterinarians who have such costs posted for usual procedures like spays and neuters and vaccinations. But, then again, it's much more pertinent to an animal owner, as very few animals have health insurance.
Prices of supplies vary so much because the opacity Macharius refers to allows it to...in an industry where a particular facility can charge whatever it wants to (basically) for a particular procedure, it doesn't care what the cost of the supplies are (because it's simply passing those costs along to consumers) and isn't motivated to shop by price, which would have a stabilizing effect on those prices.
There are legitimate cases for price differentials based on regional/cost-of-living factors and quality differences, but we don't currently really have any way to measure price or quality differences and make decisions based on them (and in most cases, particularly emergency situations, can't make the decision to go to a cheaper area to get what we need done).
Speaking more specifically to human medicine, the most aggravating part is that these price lists do exist. The billing authorities know in advance exactly how much any procedure (parts and labor
) will cost even factoring in the variation produced by who is paying. There's just such an asymmetry of information that it's somehow acceptable that this isn't ever shared with anyone. Maybe back in the days when basically everyone had one doctor and one hospital available and no choice in the matter that was fine, but we're supposed to have competition now, which requires information.
If you are from Betelgeuse, please have one of your Earth friends read what I've written before you respond. Or try concentrating harder.
"The trophy problem has become extreme."
"The trophy problem has become extreme."
A question about medical costs
- 09/02/2010 02:49:49 PM
663 Views
I would suggest
- 09/02/2010 02:57:51 PM
471 Views
Re: I would suggest
- 09/02/2010 04:54:47 PM
366 Views
well, it'd be hard to say "oh it's usually this" for the whole industry
- 09/02/2010 05:04:47 PM
447 Views
But it shouldn't be.
- 09/02/2010 05:30:52 PM
460 Views
I don't think less opacity would change the price of the supplies much
- 09/02/2010 07:21:32 PM
303 Views
Yup
- 09/02/2010 05:13:02 PM
338 Views
Re: Yup
- 09/02/2010 07:19:47 PM
321 Views
I was being sarcastic
- 09/02/2010 07:24:28 PM
442 Views
the cost structure they use is so insane it would be almost impossible to guess
- 09/02/2010 03:04:09 PM
351 Views
Well hindsight is 20/20, but was the ambulance ride truly necessary? 
- 09/02/2010 03:34:39 PM
472 Views
- 09/02/2010 03:34:39 PM
472 Views