See if you recognize this typical scene, played out from time to time in workplaces all around the country.\u00a0 One of your co-workers is late coming to work.\u00a0 Upon his arrival, he meets the office\u2019s quizzical looks with a verbal response that amounts to something like \u201cYeah!\u00a0 My car had problems this morning.\u00a0 I think I need a new\u2026\u201d.\u00a0 I am willing to bet that most everyone has been on both the giving and receiving end of this exchange.<\/p>\n
The next segment in the exchange goes something like this.\u00a0 Everyone gathers around and discusses the problem.\u00a0 Opinions fly as to what is exactly wrong, how much to pay, where the best place is to go to get the repairs done, and how to make sure that the mechanic doesn\u2019t cheat.\u00a0 Typically, there is a lot of varying ideas about the specifics.\u00a0 \u201cTake it to the dealer\u201d, says one.\u00a0 \u201cNo! don\u2019t go to the dealer.\u00a0 I know a guy.\u201d, responds another.\u00a0 \u201cCheck the internet first\u201d, comes yet another bit of advice, and so on.\u00a0 But there are really no differences in the general goal.\u00a0 Everyone involved is trying to find the best value, the best repair relative to the price.\u00a0 And every one of them is engaged and has knowledge that can be put to use.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s be specific and consider the case where you need a new set of brakes for your Honda Civic.\u00a0 A simple internet search with the search string \u2018new brakes cost honda civic\u2019 returns as one of the top hits a link to Civic Forums<\/a>, where the same type of dialog happens in the medium of the chat forum.\u00a0 For this particular repair, the generally agreed upon estimate of the cost is $150.<\/p>\n Also note that no one suggests that the owner file a claim with their car insurance.\u00a0 No one even entertains the notion, since replacing the brakes is part of the regular maintenance on a car.\u00a0 Everyone recognizes that car insurance is meant to hedge the risk of an accident that damages life, limb, and property.\u00a0 Most people go through life hoping that they never have to draw on their car insurance policy.<\/p>\n Now consider another type of regular maintenance \u2013 maintenance of the human body.\u00a0 The comparison between this activity and the situation described above is quite stark in the differences.<\/p>\n To begin, our natural shyness about the body tends to dissuade us from talking about the standard types of treatments we all need.\u00a0 Few have the same enthusiasm for discussing trips to the doctor with their co-workers as they do trips to their mechanics.\u00a0 But wait, you say, here is where the internet comes into play.\u00a0 A person can set up an avatar, assume a cyber-identity, and maintain his personal dignity while getting answers to some of the more delicate questions that can be posed.\u00a0 And this is absolutely true.\u00a0 One need only surf the World Wide Web for a while to see that people are quite willing to discuss (and display) just about any matter concerning their body with the mask of anonymity that a computer account affords.<\/p>\n So then, why is there so very little general knowledge about how much various medical treatments will cost?\u00a0 And what questions should be asked?\u00a0 And so on.\u00a0 As a society, we know far more about how to be informed and savvy consumers in almost every other market that is out there, and yet we are total dunces when it comes to the medical markets.<\/p>\n Again to be concrete, let\u2019s look at a specific medical maintenance issue.\u00a0 Suppose you\u2019re now of the age where your doctor wants you to get a regular colonoscopy.\u00a0 Where do you go?\u00a0 How much should you pay?\u00a0 How good is the doctor and how much risk is involved?\u00a0 All of these are valid questions, but I am willing to bet that very few know meaningful answers.\u00a0 Let\u2019s take a look at the first two questions in detail.<\/p>\n