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Even if there were perfect competition, it doesn't matter much, people don't comparison shop for ERs. If you are having a heart attack, you're not in a position to compare prices at local hospitals.

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Well, I think it would have to start somewhere. I'd be happy to be able to comparison shop for routine, non-emergency stuff...let's say dentists to start off with. I have a feeling that once you start chipping away at it, the outlying examples would get taken care of as well.

There was a similar thread a few weeks back:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6258597

It'd be great if the HN community started throwing out some ideas for disrupting this behemoth.

I think people already cross-shop dentists. When I had a root canal done I inquired at two places. And I'm not even very sensitive to it since I have dental insurance.

Good luck with the same at hospitals though...

I would be nervous to do that. I trust my dentist, I know he does a good job, and is sensitive to my comfort, that's why I go there. I've been to a few terrible dentists before, and I've had to get dental work redone because it didn't last. Dentists seem to be so hit and miss. Doctors can be the same way, price isn't the only consideration.

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