"There are undoubtedly higher physician and facility costs (look where your at); but to say they can charge whatever they want is silly. "
Undoubtedly indeed.Silly, I don't think so. I'll use my recent colonoscopy for an example. When my family Doc did the referral to the "in network" provider that I basically have to use, if I want my health plan to cover(at 80/20); he told me that if my insurance wouldn't cover it, I'd be better off flying to Seattle. In Alaska the procedure is damn near ten grand. In Seattle it's $3K. I'd say that more than tripling the Seattle rate is just a tad greedy. They should have been wearing friggin' ski masks. My out of pocket ended up being over $1700, so not worth flying to Seattle for. Gouging, nonetheless.
Jeff
