whether for buying a generic prescription drug on a brand name or waive unnecessary medical test, the idea is that the consumer is more involved about his health the better decisions they will-also to a reduction in healthcare spending
also known as "patient participation" health professionals have always assumed that consumers weigh their options and prefer to reduce costs when possible. However, a study published in Health Affairs found differently. The researchers explored the attitudes of 22 group participants targets in a study and found that overall, most have taken little account of costs when making a medical decision.
The study participants generally do not understand how insurance works and not feel personally involved in the problem of rising health care costs, much less the effort to lower the costs. Participants also expressed that they were unlikely to choose a treatment option that was cheaper yet almost as effective as a more expensive option. Some participants even admitted to choose the most expensive care in spite of their insurance company.
These results come as a surprise to many health professionals such as doctors who generally feel a responsibility to help their patients to keep health care costs down.
Do these results come as a surprise to you as a consumer? How much of a factor is the cost when choosing between the two different treatments, but just as effective?
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