In continuing to discuss the cost of health care and its unsustainability, we must analyze consumer behaviors and dissect the role they play. For many reasons, Healthcare will never be a legitimate market-driven business, nor should it be. However, there are several aspects of a consumer-based market that are applicable. Shared decision making implies that providers and patients (consumers) are partnering together for the best interest of the healthcare recipient. These conversations, containing multiple levels of complexity, require comprehending and understanding the risks and benefits of all treatment options. The value of shared decision making would be remiss without additionally discussing the cost of treatment. It is paramount that the consumer leads this conversation. Typically, outside of healthcare, when shopping for a product or a service, one frequently either enquires about the price or obtains an estimate of the cost of service. Gathering these answers alerts the consumer to the financial expenditure of the product or service and plays a part in the eventual decision of whether or not to purchase the item. When …show more content…
How we economically prepare should be within our financial planning. When one looks at the recent literature on consumer behaviors, 40% of those studied had saved for future health services. Whereas, only 25% of those surveyed discussed the cost of treatment with their provider. Of those surveyed, 14% compared prices and 14% compared quality and 6% stated they attempted to negotiate a price. These discussions occurred more often for prescription and outpatient services than any other healthcare service. (Consumer Behaviors Among Individuals Enrolled in High-Deductible Health Plans in the United States: Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH4; Elizabeth Q. Cliff, MS5; Christopher Krenz, BA4; et al)