That's not their job, they prescribe what they think is best for whatever condition you have.
$4 vs. $96 ????? What are you comparing, aspirin to Oxycontin? or drug coverage vs. no coverage?
You need heart surgery, you want him to refer you to a general surgeon because he might be cheaper or a board certified thorasic surgeon?
My observation has shown me that when someone is sick or dying, they want the best care possible at that time, no matter the cost. It's only after they have recovered and are walking around healthy that they then get pissed off at the cost...........
If that was true the drug companies wouldn’t market to doctors.
generic antibiotics vs name brand for a week. I've had some prices that were shocking enough that if I didn't have insurance I would have had the pharmacist give the doctor a call to find something cheaper. But since the insurance picked it up I really didn't care. (I guess I'm part of the problem).
That's not their job, they prescribe what they think is best for whatever condition you have.
Sorry, I think it is. They have to check insurance companies' drug lists to see what they can prescribe and check on more info on the drug before coming back with the prescription (I don't expect them to memorize thousands of drugs so I don't mind them checking the computer). I consider checking a price list to be part of that. Patients, especially ones without drug coverage, shouldn't be surprised by a $100+ prescription.
The lack of openness about pricing is a problem. I'm not asking for a flashing sign in front of the hospital with "Gall Bladder Removal $5,999.999, but if I'm getting a non-emergency procedure giving me a pretreatment estimate should be a standard part of the initial consultation.