[carbocation]

While I agree that this would be nice to be able to do, it's very difficult for a physician to figure this out in many care systems.

(1) the cost is intentionally not displayed to the physician when tests are ordered;

(2) the cost is not provided to the patient before services are rendered;

(3) the price being charged varies by insurance plan; and

(4) the number of different insurance plans is vast

How exactly do you expect physicians to be able to provide these estimates for each of their patients? There are certainly simple examples where the physician ordering a test is also the one providing it, but those simple examples don't really exist in major healthcare systems.

[johntiger1]

A lot of doctors are fee for service in Canada/USA. So especially in a clinic setting, they would know roughly how much certain procedures/consults impact their bottom line (i.e. how much they're getting paid). It's like a consultant not knowing their hourly billable rate.

[carbocation]

Yes, I do agree that in that case, they can know the price. I tried to account for that in my comment. Having never worked outside of a major academic medical center, my impression is that this is not how most people get care, but I know my experience is limited.

[johntiger1]

Interesting, would you say your work compensation model at a major academic medical center is not the norm then? Most hospitalists I've talked to (non-academic) have told me they get paid based on volume