SaveOn This

A new program called SaveOn, by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, has Massachusetts members directed to hospitals or medical facilities that charge less for the same tests.  They first call  a “clinical concierge’’ service and then receive a check  ranging from $10 to $75.   Eric H. Schultz, chief executive of Harvard Pilgrim, said this in the Boston Globe article:

“Doctors are still referring patients for diagnostics based on the way they’ve always done it, without regard for the cost. But we can’t sit around and accept behavior that drives costs up with little or no impact on quality.’’

I am all for saving costs but I just love how the problem is placed on the doctors’ shoulders by this dude.    Hey, Eric, if you care about cost then lower your rates!  Stop taking control out of our hands as if you or your minions know any better.