[Rusty0604]

I think the opposite is true, and I have seen examples of it in reports in the past. If doctors, labs, pharmacies, etc., operated on a free market prices for most things would be less expensive.

[Chode]

i'm not talking about "if's" or "free market pricing"...

(without going into high deductibles and co-payments in this example)lets say a procedure costs $1000, if the Doc par's with the ins, the procedure cost is negotiated with the ins-co at lets say $650-$700 and you owe nothing

if they do NOT par, and your ins only pays lets say $300-$400, YOU will be billed for the other $600-$700, and even if they do pay(which they won't) $650-$700 you will still be on the hook for the balance simply because they don't par with your ins-co

[erkelly]

I agree, the difference in cost for vet care and people care is amazing, yet essentially it is the same product. And my cat’s vet certainly drives a very nice care.