Editorial Comment

Abstract

Although US customers can customarily access price information before the purchase of most products and services, such is not the case for health care. Indeed, the lack of routine access to charges for diagnostic procedures, treatments, and hospitalization impedes the patient's ability to make a fully informed decision with regard to their care, 1 Rosenthal J.A. Lu X. Cram P. Availability of consumer prices from US hospitals for a common surgical procedure. JAMA Intern Med. 2013; 173: 427-432 Crossref PubMed Scopus (89) Google Scholar , 2 Farrell K.S. Finocchio L.J. Trivedi A.N. et al. Does price transparency legislation allow the uninsured to shop for care?. J Gen Intern Med. 2010; 25: 110-114 Crossref PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar , 3 Variations in the open market costs for prostate cancer surgery: a survey of U.S. hospitals. Urology. 2013; (In press) Google Scholar specifically in individuals without health insurance, which currently represent 16% of the US population. 4 DeNavas-Wall C. Proctor B.D. Smith J.C. Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009. US Census Bureau. 2010; Google Scholar Variations in the Open Market Costs for Prostate Cancer Surgery: A Survey of US HospitalsUrologyVol. 83Issue 3PreviewTo examine variation in the open market cost of a radical prostatectomy (RP) procedure in the US hospitals for an uninsured patient, as many proposals for health care reform highlight the importance of individuals actively participating in selecting care. However, reports suggest that obtaining procedure prices remains challenging and highly variable. Full-Text PDF ReplyUrologyVol. 83Issue 3PreviewTraditionally, health care demands have been largely inelastic, meaning the demand for the product is not influenced by the cost. Presumably, this is derived from the fact people continue to value their health – and is likely exacerbated by the fact that many consumers are effectively separated from the true costs associated with health care (eg automatic paycheck premium deductions, employer matching, state/federal taxes subsidizing healthcare, and so forth). However, as health care costs become more transparent and the patient is asked to directly be more responsible for costs, the patient/consumer will demand their money go toward a proven product. Full-Text PDF