June 2012 | Joel C. Cantor | Opinion: The Hidden Driver of Healthcare Costs
Most people would never consider purchasing a product before knowing its price. But in healthcare, consumers routinely do just that. Part of the reason for this arrangement is the sheer complexity of health services. A typical episode of care involves the purchase of dozens of services and supplies, often from multiple providers.
Moreover, those of us without medical training are in no position to judge the necessity of many health services, let alone whether their prices are reasonable. Even if prices were available, comparison shopping is often out of the question.