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PakkyT t1_ir9yuva wrote

Where are you getting a crown for $500?

Dentists occupy a strange space in that they are not really considered essential health care so unlike medical are often not covered under health policies and instead depend on people paying out of pocket or buying supplemental dental insurance and still paying for a lot out of pocket. And they operate as for profit businesses so clearly they want to attract customers. So your thought that dentists raising their prices until they lose customers is not really realistic.

But why would they need to raise their prices? The only thing that will change is that now insurance companies will have to cover more than they currently are covering. So say you go in and get a crown and the dentist charges $1200 and let's say your insurance covers 20% so you pay $960 and the insurance covers $240. Dentist gets the whole $1200. Now the law goes into effect and to bring their spending up to comply with the law, so now your policy covers 50%. You pay $600 and the insurance pays $600. Dentist still get $1200. So how does this new lay make the dentist need to raise their prices? And yes that is a real savings for the consumer, an additional $360 they don't have to pay out of pocket.

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bostonmacosx OP t1_ir9z2ey wrote

You’re looking at dentist as altruistic people. They’re in it to make money so if they can charge 1500 and now you’re paying the same as you did for the 1200 because the insurance company is paying more you’re still at the same amount of money I just don’t see your argument as realistic

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diplodonculus t1_ira0j6u wrote

You're not looking at insurers as mostly valueless leeches on top of our medical systems.

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PakkyT t1_iraasl8 wrote

>You’re looking at dentist as altruistic people.

Reread my post where I said "And they operate as for profit businesses so clearly they want to attract customers." I am looking at them to be business people who are going to do what they need to do to keep business coming in. They are not going to price gouge customers in the short term at the risk of losing their business in the long run.

Already they know people have trouble paying for some of the more expensive services (even a simple teeth cleaning and examination appointment is a lot for those without insurance). They are not going to jack up their prices to keep patients paying more than they want. Instead this will be an opportunity for patients to get more of the care they either need or want if those patients can not get those services with a lower out of pocket expenditure and the dentist still makes their money.

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bostonmacosx OP t1_iraazs2 wrote

There is like 0 ability to easily compare dental prices. Thus your argument although valid to what extent it works is debatable.

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zeratul98 t1_irbbhls wrote

What? Every time I've gone to a dentist I've gotten a list of work I'd need done and a cost for each procedure. That's loads better than any medical care I've ever gotten

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bostonmacosx OP t1_irbcjri wrote

I'm talking between dentists....not just in one place...most people go to a dentist because it is local...not because it offers the best pricing.

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zeratul98 t1_irbd92z wrote

I think people are willing to travel an extra five minutes if it genuinely saves them hundreds of dollars

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bostonmacosx OP t1_irbdci1 wrote

So where is this marketplace to compare costs?

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zeratul98 t1_irbft5r wrote

Some explicitly advertise prices, but usually you'll have to go in for an evaluation and ask for a plan

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bostonmacosx OP t1_irbidxl wrote

Yup making My point.

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zeratul98 t1_irbizrj wrote

If I'm making your point, then I have no idea what your point is. Your claim is that people have 0 ability to compare prices. It's definitely harder than shopping for a couch, but world's better than getting prices from a hospital

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