Would significant adoption of concierge medicine make current healthcare debate moot?

[glenn1]

Seems like some doctors are turning away from health insurance companies and government programs altogether, opting for a more direct service model. In part I would presume represents a backlash against the reduced payments and paperwork requirements involved with the current system. Is there a big enough market of paying customers out there to mortally wound the current insurance-based system, and cold this also moot the current healthcare proposals from Congress? Sure, Congress can create a "public option," but can they convince doctors to actually participate in it if concierge medicine is a viable business model for them?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierge_medicine

 

[charrison]

Seems like some doctors are turning away from health insurance companies and government programs altogether, opting for a more direct service model. In part I would presume represents a backlash against the reduced payments and paperwork requirements involved with the current system. Is there a big enough market of paying customers out there to mortally wound the current insurance-based system, and cold this also moot the current healthcare proposals from Congress? Sure, Congress can create a "public option," but can they convince doctors to actually participate in it if concierge medicine is a viable business model for them?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierge_medicine

That and retail med clinics that are starting to pop up.

 

[TruePaige]

Well, we just solved the problem of health care for the richest 1-3% of Americans, don't think those guys were suffering though...

 

[charrison]

Well, we just solved the problem of health care for the richest 1-3% of Americans, don't think those guys were suffering though...

Actually it is not that expensive when you compare it to insurance plans.

 

[Fenixgoon]

what about a healthier lifestyle? how many medical problems would that inherently solve?

 

[Rockinacoustic]

what about a healthier lifestyle? how many medical problems would that inherently solve?

QFT. There's a reason it's called 'insurance'.

 

[Patranus]

That is the problem.

Insurance is not being used as insurance.
Insurance is in case something happens. That is why catastrophic insurance is so cheap, it is like car insurance.

What people use the current system for is for paying their every medical cost. The system is essentially paying for your oil chances and what not.

Now imagine how much insurance that covered every procedure a mechanic would do to your cost would cost each month.

 

[zephyrprime]

Well, basically, concierge medecine is like a HMO except with only one doctor. It's inherently more efficient because it combines the insurer and the doctor and removes conflicts of interest between them. So it is better in many ways than our current system. However, you still need catastrophic insurance.

We need to move back to a model where insurance is insurance only. Not a routine expense like a cable bill. We also need to move away from employer based health care. People need to be able to shop for their own insurance again. Private insurance is way cheaper than what employers pay for insurance.

 

[BassBomb]

medpack vending machines are just around the corner like bioshock!

 

[SammyJr]

Private insurance is way cheaper than what employers pay for insurance.

How do you figure?

Employers, especially large ones, have bargaining power. Why do you think small employers would rather band together to buy in bulk?

 

[CADsortaGUY]

well, basically, concierge medecine is like a hmo except with only one doctor. It's inherently more efficient because it combines the insurer and the doctor and removes conflicts of interest between them. So it is better in many ways than our current system. However, you still need catastrophic insurance.

We need to move back to a model where insurance is insurance only. Not a routine expense like a cable bill. We also need to move away from employer based health care. People need to be able to shop for their own insurance again.

This

 

[Jhhnn]

How do you figure?

Employers, especially large ones, have bargaining power. Why do you think small employers would rather band together to buy in bulk?

Don't expect a reply, at least not one that makes sense...

Notice how the article doesn't really explore the price of boutique medicine? There's a reason for that... I'm sure it's great, for the few who can afford it...