Archive for December, 2007

Patients, Doctors, and Remote Third Parties

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

Why not just eliminate the middleman?
In an interesting posting on EconLog, noted economist Arnold Kling, PhD (in answer to an essay by Richard Dolonar on why it’s important for doctors to individualize clinical decisions) says,
“My own view is that a remote third party probably can use statistical evidence to make good recommendations for a course […]

Posted in General Rationing Issues, Primary Care in America | 6 Comments »

Black Market Medicine (Staying Off the Grid)

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

In a comment to DrRich’s latest post, Sam (a physician who gets it) points out yet another way subliminal healthcare rationing may be affecting consumers. He says,
DrRich,
I have become highly vigilant regarding my own health care. One reason for people to avoid using their health insurance is that they are trying to stay “off the […]

Posted in General Rationing Issues | 6 Comments »

Covert Rationing More Successful This Year

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

According to a new Gallup Poll published on December 14, 30% of Americans admit to putting off medical treatment this year solely because they felt they could not afford the cost. Of those, 60% say the delay was for a medical condition that was very serious or somewhat serious. Results were based on telephone interviews […]

Posted in Gekkonian Rationing | 9 Comments »

Covert Rationing Even Wrecks Socialism

Tuesday, December 11th, 2007

Last week, John Goodman wrote a provocative piece about what he’s termed the “nonprice rationing” of healthcare. By nonprice (or nonmarket) rationing, Goodman means the kind of rationing you get when the government, rather than market forces, control the healthcare system - specifically, he’s addressing a system of socialism. He offers five principles […]

Posted in Wonkonian Rationing | 8 Comments »

Another Way to Run Afoul of E&M Coding

Wednesday, December 5th, 2007

Last week, DrRich ranted on the E&M coding guidelines, and attempted to demonstrate how this oppressive and uninterpretable set of rules has harmed patient care, and has exposed many if not most doctors to the constant threat of an unpleasant visit from the Office of the Inspector General.
DB took up the call here, and the […]

Posted in Wonkonian Rationing, Primary Care in America | 3 Comments »