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Comment by cl0wnshoes | Hacker News Reader

You have your pricing model backwards IMO. If your target market are those who cannot afford healthcare are they in the position to pay monthly for the possibility of discounted service? I understand that when you run the numbers $10/mrr from 1000 customers vs 100 providers is more appealing, but if the system is worth using providers would be throwing money at you to acquire non-insured cash customers at a scaled rate.

How many customers are currently using the system? How many providers and services are available for the first few customers to search through? If there answer is none or close to none I'd think about making the service free to use until it is worth it for one side or the other (it should be providers) to start paying.

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That's an interesting proposal: make it free for members and eventually build enough membership that providers are actively wanting to join the network for a monthly fee.

To be clear, I'm happy with any pricing model that accomplishes the goal of helping people who are stuck paying out of pocket for healthcare. But charging providers doesn't seem viable because providers seem quite un-motivated. In fact, Pocketero's biggest challenge right now is getting providers to reply to invites to join the network. Not because they are opposed - they are willing to join if we can speak to someone. Rather they are overwhelmed with customers. They don't reply to emails/faxes/voicemails, they only seem to join if you get them on the phone and walk them through it. Because they are so un-motivated, part of my pitch is "it costs you nothing" - hopefully leaving no possible objections to joining.

But you pose a good question: "those who cannot afford healthcare are they in the position to pay monthly"? I'm starting to think sponsorship is the most viable model - small businesses, churches, etc. paying for memberships en masse. I just added the sponsorship feature on Monday, and may soon pivot the homepage to focus on sponsors. What do you think about that model instead?

"Free to join" does not mean you have removed all friction from the process. There is time they have to spend thinking about it and probably discuss with other stakeholders. Inertia is the strongest force in the universe so you have to find what motivates them to join, not just what removes barriers. This is an important detail.

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