Is health insurance collective bargaining?

[darkstar3]

Go and take a look at one of your Explanations of Benefits. You'll see a line regarding "discount" or "approved charge" or "provider contract rate" or something else along those lines. This is on EVERY EOB I've ever gotten. The provider charges one price, and the insurance company says "no, this is what you should REALLY charge for that."

Isn't this just a form of collective bargaining? Shouldn't we be asking people who are against collective bargaining to drop their health insurance?

This post has been another Random Thought

[dkf]

1. Are you saying anything relating to mass discounts is collective bargaining and should be disallowed

[darkstar3]

2. Not in the least.

I know health insurance sucks, such as it is right now, but it HAS done one good thing for ME lately. Due to my insurance companies collective bargaining capability, they are able to set contract prices for services with their providers, and ensure that the providers to not overcharge me (or let us say ridiculously overcharge me, they're still overcharging me).

Collective bargaining is a good thing. My point here is that it serves far more people in these United States than recognize it. I think pointing this out to anti-union folks might be effective.

[Sherman A1]

4. Perhaps

But would the prices really be that high with which to start if the insurance didn't negotiate them down to another one?

It reminds me of a sale at Macy's

The sweater's full price is "X", but they never expect to sell it for that price as it will be on sale of some sort the moment it hits the rack.

I don't think of it as collective bargaining, but more of pricing gamesmanship.

[DemocratAholic]

3. absolutely

interesting thing about the analogy that you use is that people opposed to health reform seemed intent upon denying SOME people the right to "collective bargaining," while retaining that right for others. in fact, arguing that those who are currently shut out of the health care system would adversely affect those who are already in it. it was an incredibly hypocritical, selfish, inhumane argument...but they made it.

another analogy you could use is the way big companies use their power as a way to pay cheaper prices for the goods they buy. walmart, for instance, pays much cheaper prices for the same products as an independent neighborhood store. the fact that they have more customers and buy larger quantities, isn't that a form of collective bargaining as well? and what about the harm that comes to independent retailers, who are forced to pay more for goods and are unable to compete?

[Scuba]

5. Nope. It's extortion. n/t