The Age Of Priceline Health Care

There is great debate over whether consumers shop for health care services; I mean compare prices and use performance and quality data to make decisions. A recent story about a man who drove five hours for hernia surgery because he discovered a cost difference of $30,000 versus $3,000 (see Man Drives Five Hours For Surgery Insurance Won’t Cover) and news that about 1.9 million Americans have become medical tourists to get cheaper care (see U.S. Medical Tourists Seek Cheap Health Care Abroad) make me believe we’re entering a new phase of health care consumerism . . .