| Since the original letters I've spoken to a lot more people and have casually researched this issue. Some random and unorganised thoughts...
-- The doctors can charge whatever they want, IF and ONLY IF they have made full disclosure and let you know about this before you accepted the service.
-- Most doctors in HK negotiate packages with you. I would like to highlight the word negotiate as there is price discrimination between paitents. We know of people who work at some of the big brand name investment banks who have gotten charged more than some of us who... well .. have to work for a living.
-- Medical council guidelines state very speciifcally that a doctor can base his charge on the complexity of the service and the market rates for that service and his experience. The problem is that there are few guidelines or definitions on what market rates are.
-- There are some celebrity doctors who can and will get away with inflated charges.
-- I would also like to stress that there are a fair number of doctors who consider themselves as healers and not service providers. Ask people why they go to their doctor and you'll find the rare gem when people respond "because they cared", as opposed to "best equipment", "everyone goes there", "famous doctor" etc.
-- The issue of pricing discrimation based on the type of room you're in, is a very difficult one to take to the public-court of opinion as many people I have met (spoilt and uninformed expats and locals) have accepted this as a fact of life and are complacent. People tend to view doctors with awe and are not ready to question them.
-- I ask my friends and colleagues .. how much time did you spend researching the last high-end item you purchased.. they'll spend hours and hours on that. Do you research medical conditions and treatments before you go to the doctor? The answer is frequently ... "no".  |