Online Bidding for Best Price for Orthopedic Surgery with Medibid

I have posted a number of previous notes about so-called medical tourism whereby U.S. consumers seek medical care abroad for a reduced price (see, for example: Two Drivers for Medical Tourism: Public-Private Partnerships and Medical Insurance Participation). A total hip replacement is available at hospitals in India for a fraction of the cost in the U.S. Obviously, the people who seek such services are uninsured or under-insured. A new and interesting option for reduced price surgery at U.S. facilities is available via a web site called Midibid. This was discussed in a recent article (see: Patients Seeking Cheaper Care Getting Online Bids From Doctors). Below is an excerpt from it: Francisco Velazco couldn't wait any longer. For several years, the 35-year-old Seattle handyman had searched for an orthopedic surgeon who would reconstruct the torn ligament in his knee for a price he could afford.....Velazco turned to an unconventional and controversial option: an online medical auction site called Medibid, which largely operates outside the confines of traditional health insurance. The four-year-old online service links patients seeking non-emergency care with doctors and facilities that offer it, much the way Priceline unites travelers and hotels. Vetting doctors is left to prospective patients: Medibid does not verify credentials but requires doctors to submit their medical license number for patients to check.... After accepting the lowest bid -- $7,500, a fee...
Source: Lab Soft News - Category: Pathologists Authors: Tags: Cost of Healthcare Health Insurance Healthcare Business Healthcare Delivery Medical Consumerism Source Type: blogs