Recently, I wrote about my experience trying to get my BlueChoice Preferred Provider Organization to honor its contract to reimburse me for out-of-network care for depression. Most of the comments I received later fell into the usual categories: faulty logic; big fat meanie; off-topic; starring in personal Lifetime Drama; seeking agent. (OK. No one was seeking an agent.)

The writer unwittingly exposed the biggest shortcoming in the current system: "Between gynecological exams, lab tests, infected retinas and monthly doses of Klonopin and Lamictal, I have probably only spent about $1,500 out of pocket in the past year."

Now what do you suppose the actual cost was for all of those things listed? No doubt, significantly north of $1,500. Quite frankly, people have no clue about the cost of their care, because they bear so little of it themselves and because they rarely seen actual bill broken down line by line. They just expect someone else to pay for it.

Eight years ago, my wife needed an MRI, but we did not have health insurance. I called up several area hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices -- all within about a one-mile radius -- to find the best price. I was surprised to discover that prices quoted, for an identical service, varied widely, and that the lowest price was $1,200. But what was truly astonishing was that several providers refused to quote any price. Only if I came in and actually ordered the MRI could we discuss price.

Several years later, when we were preparing for the birth of our second child, I requested the total cost of the delivery and related procedures from our hospital. The answer: the hospital discussed price only with uninsured patients. What about my co-pay? They would discuss my potential co-pay only if I were applying for financial assistance.