[Winona Online Democracy]
In a New York Times article today is reported that a first
step in providing consumers with pricing data so as to allow them to make
informed decisions is being made by Medicare on line at their web site www.medicare.gov or by calling 800.633.4227
by the end of this month. “The site will list the prices charged
for various dosages of specific drugs at retail pharmacies in or near a given
ZIP code. If a brand-name drug has generic equivalents, their prices will
be displayed as well.” Robert Pear, of the New York Times goes on
to say “Even if the Web site baffles some beneficiaries, it will provide
a rich lode of data for researchers and consumer groups”
I only hope they expand the data to include the rest of Medicare
and/or VA healthcare price data on Dental, Medical Procedures, and Hospital
rates etc. so that consumers can be truly informed. They may even come to
the realization that insurance is a costly alternative to good consumer
practices and should be used to protect one’s assets from catastrophic
loss not for routine healthcare expenses. Involved and informed consumers
is the only long term real solution to control healthcare costs and most
studies agree that with pricing data we will start to empower the public with both
choice and responsibly. Patient satisfaction, service and quality will
follow and will have value to consumers over and above standard prices.
Paul Double
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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