There can be no doubt that when it comes to rates charged for procedures, a separate set applies to those of us who pay out of pocket. In my case, it concerned undergoing the cataract procedure with lens implants, which I underwent electively. They did try to rule out my eligibility for insurance coverage by assessing my eyes for the presence of cataracts; there were none. Not only did I get a discounted price from the doc (as there is a fee to his office for filing a claim), I received a whalloping $1699 refund from the surgery center at which I had the procedure done. Got a 20% discount from the anesthesiology practice as well.
I think it can be safely assumed that if healthcare were turned over to the private sector, competition would indeed play a role in bringing on lower prices, as evidence above clearly shows that healthcare providers gig the insurance industry for all it can get (& this also includes Medicare & Medicaid).
