Will more data create health care shoppers? - OregonLive.com

In Oregon, state officials last year began reporting detailed price comparisons among hospitals, a follow-up to reports on hospital-specific death rates. Ten of Oregon's largest health insurers joined a nonprofit's effort to rank how effectively doctors care for patients. And the Legislature ordered hospitals to divulge infection rates and other long-hidden measures.But with the release of such information, the question remains: Will it compel patients to act more like thrift-minded consumers whose clout will restrain price inflation and boost service quality?

Will more data create health care shoppers? - OregonLive.com What I find most interesting about this disucssion is two things: 1) Are providers capible of functioning like businesses with variable costs and compeditive pricing.  This implies that they are actively marketing their services, cost comparing with their peers, and driving down internal costs to lower prices.  All of these things are quite counter to the training a doctor receives.  So either their will be a whole new business area for provier busienss development consulting or perhaps doctor programs will now include marking and sales training beyond the typical medical training :) 2) Even if a provider "advertises" lower prices, would you as a consumer choose them?  It is one thing to buy a car at the lowest price but it is quite another to take such a risk with your health.  I suspect typically medicine is based on relationship and referal from your "trusted" doctor.  Price is not actively considered.  Even if it became a factor how do you know if you are getting a good "health deal", or taking a risk with your life? Blogged with the Flock Browser