A study published recently by Mercer, a human resources consulting firm, found that people on high-deductible health plans, with more exposure to the prices of doctor visits, spent less. Indiana adopted high-deductible health plans, and the average expense in 2009 for patients on one of these plans was $6,393, compared with $8,570 for patients on a more traditional health maintenance organization plan.
Safeway pays up to $1,200 for its employees’ colonoscopies, a preventative procedure to detect cancer. If employees wish to go to a doctor who charges more, they must pay the difference. According to Castlight, colonoscopies in the Bay Area, where Safeway is based, range from $500 to $3,000, and sometimes a doctor charges different rates at different hospitals.
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Phil, Are people taking chances with their health because of the high deductable? My wife's deductable is $5K... How many people can afford to absorb the first $5K, especially if they're making modest wages or, in our case, if the primary breadwinner has retired? Healthcare is an extremely complex and impactful issue, both personally and for the country. Take Care, Dave
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