But I found that the discount often had to be begged for and was never close to as much as the discount they gave to the insurance companies. The fact is, if you don't have insurance the health care providers see that as a license to stick it to you. No wonder they have such a hard time collecting.

An example from my last physical:
Total billed price: $435
Cash in advance price: $348
Insurance company price: $256

And that doesn't count the price for the blood tests which are far more dramatically skewed against the non-insured.

And heaven help you if you ever try to discuss price with a healthcare provider for anything other than routine procedures. Just try that when you are in the emergency room with a head full of morphine and the doctor says, "We just have to do what is best for you and assume your insurance company will pay for it." They won't discuss price, but they will gladly wheel you out into the street and let you fend for yourself.

That said, I do agree with you that employers should be out of the insurance business, but the individual is not and never will be qualified to micro manage health care providers. Gee doc, before you stitch that artery back together, let me call around to the other hospitals.