While some proponents of high deductibles say they encourage consumers to be more careful about their health, purchasing the necessary care only, they aren’t “working as intended,” according to a recent article published on The Incidental Economist.
Citing a broad body of research, the article states people not only cut back on unnecessary care, but also necessary care.
Leaving decisions up to the patient can sometimes lead to higher-than-necessary care costs, especially when shopping for care, according to the article.
A recent study conducted by a team of researchers from Yale, Harvard and Columbia suggests that patients are highly likely to get, for example, M.R.I.s where their doctors advise, regardless of price.
“Many patients are going to very expensive providers when lower-price options with equal quality are available,” Zack Cooper, Yale health economist and a co-author of the study, said.
Click here to read the full report on The Incidental Economist.
