Health Services Priced to Move

Well worth reading. You might need this advice some day. Article shows its worth it to negotiate.

clipped from blogs.wsj.com While HMOs, hospitals and doctors duke out prices behind the scenes, some persistent patients may be having an effect, too. Exhibit A is a Bob Braschler, owner Braschler’s Bakery and Coffee Shop in Red Wing, Minn, and the subject of this recent story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He’s the kind of guy conservative health wonks dream about: He recently switched to a high-deductible health plan with a health-savings account, and he went shopping for a deal when he needed cataract surgery for both eyes. He passed up the Mayo Clinic (more than $20,000) and Fairview Red Wing Medical Center ($18,000) and wound up at Minnesota Eye Consultants ($10,000). Hat tip to Health Hombre, who reads more regulations, proposed rules, draft legislation and other stuff than is healthy for any person.