Patient Rights Managing Medical Costs Print How Money Influences Our Medical Care Written by facebook twitter linkedin Written by Trisha Torrey Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. She has written several books about patient advocacy and how to best navigate the healthcare system. Learn about our editorial policy Trisha Torrey Updated on August 01, 2019 Talk to your doctor about your conditions before you fly. Portra Images / Getty Images More in Patient Rights Managing Medical Costs Navigating Your Diagnosis Treatment Decisions & Safety Medical Records Patient Advocacy Healthcare Team Hospital Stay Safety There is any number of aspects of getting good healthcare that confound us, patients. Many of those mysteries can be answered by the simple statement, "follow the money." Because American healthcare is set up in a mostly consumer model, there are many aspects that function as profit centers, or at least attempt to be profit-making, even if we don't think of them in that way. Medicine Is a Business The first goal of any business is to make a profit; that's how it stays in business. This is a fairly easy concept when it comes to health insurance companies. We know and accept that they are profit-seeking. Corporate health insurance companies are beholden to their stockholders first and foremost. We, their customers, purchase their insurance products to help them be profitable. Of course, pharmaceutical companies, or medical device manufacturers are businesses seeking profits, too. Like health insurers, these companies thrive in a capitalistic environment by selling their products to the people who need them. What many patients fail to realize is that doctors' practices, hospitals, pharmacies, testing centers, dental, hearing and vision centers—these are all businesses, too. They, too, must focus on income and profits to stay open. Granted, some are considered to be "non-profit organizations." You will find, however, that many are non-profit in name only. This is true for non-profit health insurers, hospitals, and other facilities, even many of the charities that raise money for health-related causes. In some cases, their top employees may earn salaries in the millions, and their advertising budgets rival those of any consumer business. By the end of the year, they have to show they've spent as much as they have earned; that's what makes them non-profit. It does not mean they intend to lose money. That is not to say that money-making and money-raising is a bad thing. Many are good, solid organizations, and if they didn't have that highly paid personnel, they might not be as effective as they are. But we need to remember that when it comes to healthcare in America, the pursuit or retention of the dollar is too often more important than an individual's health. From rationing to frustration, it raises many questions on the parts of patients that can only be explained by that phrase, "follow the money." Now add to all these examples the millions of websites that want to sell us health-related products or services. You can see how far-reaching the profit or income-focus of healthcare is. Time Is Money Finally, don't forget that time is money. This adage reminds us that when it comes to business when someone spends time with us, then it is costing him, and ultimately us, money. The busier someone is, the more his time is worth, too. Here are some questions I hear from patients. Choose any of the questions for a further explanation of how "follow the money" is at the heart of the answer. During a Doctor Appointment Why do I wait so long to see the doctor during an appointment?Why is it so difficult to find a primary care physician?Why does my doctor always seem to be in such a hurry?Why does my doctor send me for so many tests?Why don't some doctors accept my insurance?What is boutique medicine or a concierge practice? Health Insurance Questions I'm healthy. So why do my insurance premiums increase each year?Why won't my insurance cover the doctors I want to see? Internet Questions About Healthcare Why can't I believe everything I read on the Internet about treatment or prevention?Why doesn't my doctor let me share Internet information with her? General Questions About Healthcare Why do we have to be cautious about the outcomes of medical studies? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Continue Reading