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Podcasts Take Two
Impatient: Should doctors have to consider the cost of treatments?
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May 6, 2015
Listen 5:35
Impatient: Should doctors have to consider the cost of treatments?
If doctors know best, shouldn't they be considering ways to help cost conscious clients? Rebecca Plevin joins the show to talk about negotiating healthcare pricing.
U.S. hospitals charged on average more than three times the Medicare-allowable costs, according to a study in the journal Health Affairs.
U.S. hospitals charged on average more than three times the Medicare-allowable costs, according to a study in the journal Health Affairs.
(
Katherine Streeter for NPR
)

If doctors know best, shouldn't they be considering ways to help cost conscious clients? Rebecca Plevin joins the show to talk about negotiating healthcare pricing.

If you've been listening to "Impatient," our weekly consumer health segment, you've heard us talk about how it's possible to talk with your doctor about the cost of treatments and medications.

The idea is that you can actually ask for cheaper options, which can be especially helpful if you're on a high deductible plan. But should talking about the price of treatments be the sole responsibility of the patient?

If doctors know best, shouldn't they also be considering ways to help cost conscious clients?

Southern California Public Radio's health reporter Rebecca Plevin joins Ben Bergman to talk about one experiment that's encouraging doctors to change their habits, and practice in a high-quality, cost-conscious way.

If you want a full break down of the story, head on over to SCPR.org/Health or listen to the audio embedded above.