Reply #38: Overall, I like it

[joeglow3]

These plans offer little to no incentive for the consumer to be cognizent of their costs and usage of a finite resource. About 7 years ago, I had a nice HMO with my employer. When I needed emergicare, the cost was the same for me ($100) to go to an emergicare facility as it was for an ER. Since the ER was about 5 miles closer, I went there. I readily admit I am part of the problem as I did not care since the cost was the same.

A couple years ago my plan required be to pay a percentage of all costs (10%). When I broke my finger and needed to get an x-ray on a Saturday, I drove the extra 5 miles because it cost me much less than an ER.

I think this tax is intended to serve 2 purposes: raise revenue and at least make consumers more congnizant of the impact their collective decisions on where to get care has.