I mirror this concern that the US health care system has no price transparency. When I had my shoulder operated on I tried to find out what my liabilities were. The hospital and other places were able to tell me what percentage my co-pay was but none could give me even a ballpark figure as to what my surgery would cost. I essentially had the operation not knowing what I would be up for.

As a private system it fails in price transparency. As a consequence ringing around other hospitals and other surgeons to price shop was not possible. I could not judge or rate the services based on cost.

My shoulder has been giving me pain for the last three weeks or so; and after surfing with it amongst the rough and tumble of the Californian swell I finally gave in and had it check out. This is an x-ray of it.

I need to get an MRI next but there is a bone chip in there from an Aussie Rules injury when I was about sixteen, there is also a spur, which might be the issue. Then again given where I was weak it also might be a torn labrum/labrial (sp?) which is bad since it requires surgery. Which is not cool. (more)