High prices fuel health care costs
Recently, I had to go to the hospital to get an imaging test. I have insurance so my usual procedure is to pay the small deductible and ignore the actual cost of the test. This time the actual cost of the imaging test caught my eye as it seemed very high for the 15 minutes the test took.
I researched this imaging test on the Internet and found the Healthcare Blue Book website. This site lists the costs of almost every medical procedure or test. It shows you from the low range to the highest range of prices then shows you a “fair price” based on your ZIP code and a fair profit for the provider. To my shock, the amount I was charged for my imaging test was almost three times the “fair price” shown.
If you are wondering why your health care and insurance costs are skyrocketing it is because of predatory profiteering by those who do these types of tests and procedures. In Hawaii, we are a captive audience since we can’t shop around for a better/fair price. We are forced to pay what they say or die.
The insurance company doesn’t care about cost either. It just raises premiums and co-pays and it still makes out like a bandit. Win, win lose. With the loser being the patient.
The next time you need to get a test or procedure done at your local hospital, check the actual cost, not your co-pay, and research the “fair price” on the Healthcare Blue Book website. You will be shocked and it will clarify what is wrong with the “business” of health care in the United States.
Joseph Appleton
Waimea