oliticians love to talk relievers until his problem is so
about the rising cost of bad that he misses work and
healthcare. If the trend or requires more expensive
rising prices doesn’t change, the interventions such as physical
implications for consumers and therapy, potentially dangerous
the economy could be devastating. prescription pain killers or even
While many government-imposed surgery. Or, instead of being
solutions are promoted every able to go to the family doctor
elections cycle, maybe it’s time on a regular basis and prevent
to allow the free market to have potential problems, families end
a chance. up waiting until a full-blown
The 1990s ushered in Managed crisis arrives requiring
Care, which was supposed to significant medical help and
control the cost of health care. expense.
Insurances networks were to keep
It’s obvious that the current
prices down by controlling system favors insurers’
providers. Sadly, what actually short-term financial objectives
happened is that health care over the long-term health and
costs have continued to rise at well-being of consumers.
staggering rates while limiting Experience has shown that
consumers’ choices and insurers will change provider
diminishing the quality of care networks routinely to reduce
they receive.
costs while premiums continue to
By limiting consumers’ choice rise. Again, the end result is
of providers, insurance companies less care (quality and quantity)
actually discourage people from and higher premiums. Yet,
getting the care they need when politicians of both parties
they need it. Instead of going to continue to promote insurance as
his own chiropractor, dad just the only solution to the health
might take over-the-counter pain care crisis.
With little fanfare, doctors party re-imbursement structure
are starting to run their that limits their ability to
practices more like a business practice and serve their clients
and showing a real willingness to effectively. While some providers
compete for your business. This choose to remove themselves
competition is taking place on entirely from the insurance
several levels. Some offer “game”, others are choosing to
affordable financial plans and opt out of networks in order to
fees while others specialize in a provide quality care while
limited scope of services. allowing their patients to use
Medical Homes of America their insurance benefits. Either
(www.goprivatedoctor.com) based way, these providers often choose
in Georgia offers unlimited care to accept somewhat lower
at a low annual fee, which compensation than to give less
enables their clients ready than quality care.
access to routine medical care.
So, why don’t insurers
Regitz Chiropractic participate in free market
(www.regitzchiro.com) in solutions to lowering health care
Lancaster, Pennsylvania offers a costs? Well, one reason might be
“box-on-the-wall” practice where that our national addiction to
practice members determine the insurance is fed by fear of
fee that is appropriate for them rising costs and the potential
and their family Medical boutique for financial devastation should
practices have sprung up all over a health crisis ever occur. Many
America offering specialized Americans take low paying jobs
services from plastic surgery to simply to provide health
laser eye surgery.
insurance for their family.
In short, doctors of all Another reason might be the
stripes are growing tired of the misconception that insurers can
hassles of dealing with a third control costs by pressuring their
network of providers. And while professional practice, the best
they may lower what they pay first step is to contact your own
their network providers, they end representative. Tell them you
up shortchanging the people who want more competition in the
pay their premiums. health care marketplace. Support
Given all this, how can “any willing provider” statutes
competition alter the course of in your state. Support
health care in America? Fewer legislation that removes barriers
restrictions by states on how to pricing by health care
health care providers can professionals. Tell your employer
establish their fees would give that you want access to any
consumers more choices in how licensed practitioner with your
they pay their doctor. health insurance policy. Finally,
Professional groups generally be responsible for your own
oppose this because doctors don’t health. Choose a policy that
like to compete for your gives you maximum control over
business. Insurance companies can your own health care decisions.
participate in this revolution by And, choose the provider you want
adopting an “any willing before the need arises. Discuss
provider” posture. As long as a their fees, policies and
provider is licensed in a given philosophy of practice.
state he/she is presumed to be
Competition always lowers
competent to practice. This one costs and improves service. Look
change would foster a level of for ways to make your doctor be
competition and service not seen better. You’ll be glad you
in decades.
did.
What can consumers do to help
these changes happen sooner? Since state legislatures type="text/javascript">
google_ad_format = "728x90_as"; type="text/javascript"
google_ad_type =
"text_image"; src="http://pagead2.googlesyndica
tion.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
google_ad_channel
="4107091370";
google_color_border =
"FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
About the Author:
Tim Langley is a chiropractor, economist and business owner. His practice, Langley Chiropractic Office is located in Marietta, Georgia is home of "The Membership Practice" which lets his clients limit the upside financial risks of chiropractic care. http://www.langleychiropractic.com
