You Get What You Pay For?
The philosophy “you get what you pay for” is ingrained in our culture, influencing many of our purchasing decisions. We often assume that higher prices mean better quality, and this logic can sometimes be true. For instance, a gourmet meal at a high-end restaurant might indeed be superior to a cheaper fast-food option. Some may even argue that name-brand food products taste better than generic. However, when it comes to healthcare, this assumption doesn’t always hold. While generally our thinking about price and quality may often be confirmed, there can be exceptions.
We may understand that price and quality do not always correlate. However, clever marketers still persuade us to fall for it. Marketing researchers know that consumers often assume higher prices mean better quality without other information. When a product is priced too low, consumers may assume it must be inferior. That’s why companies sometimes charge more for a product they usually sell at a lower price. A practice known as “prestige pricing” or “image pricing”.
What About Healthcare?
With our health on the line, it’s understandable to assume higher prices mean better quality. However, despite the United States having some of the highest healthcare costs globally, it ranks only 26th in life expectancy and performs poorly on other quality indicators, according to the AMA Journal of Ethics. This disconnect between cost and quality is evident in many areas of healthcare. For instance, according to the U.S. Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services, if surgeries were paid for at outpatient surgery centers’ rates rather than hospital rates, taxpayers could save $15 billion and patients would save $3 billion annually, with no impact on the quality of care. Here again we see that higher costs do not necessarily guarantee better outcomes.
Since higher costs in healthcare often do not equate to better quality, it’s essential for consumers to carefully evaluate their options. To make informed decisions, healthcare consumers should consider not only the costs but also the reputation of the facility or provider. Utilizing reputable review websites such as Healthgrades, RateMDs, and Vitals can provide valuable insights. These platforms offer patient-verified reviews and ratings that can help you identify high-quality, affordable health care services.
How Zion HealthShare Can Help
As a valued member of Zion HealthShare, we provide a complimentary Medical Advocate Team to assist you in finding reasonably priced medical providers in your area. For example, Zion HealthShare Member Advocates recently assisted a member with scheduling knee surgery (ACL repair). While the market price was $30,000, our team helped locate a provider who charged $17,715, saving the community over $12,000.
At Zion HealthShare, we believe that managing healthcare costs shouldn’t come at the expense of quality care. Our community exists to help individuals and families access care without the confusion of network restrictions or inflated pricing. If you’re ready to experience a better way to manage your healthcare expenses, one rooted in transparency, simplicity, and compassion, explore what Zion HealthShare has to offer.
Learn more about how our community works and how you can enroll today.
Zion HealthShare is not an insurance company. Neither this publication nor membership in Zion HealthShare are offered by an insurance company. Visit ZionHealthShare.org to view your state-specific notice.
Current as of: December 19, 2025