More Complications for NM Health Care
Simple Solutions and Simple Care just became more expensive in New Mexico; and complicated care just became less expensive. Of course, the growing cost of additional administrative burdens may more than offset the gross receipts tax advantage enjoyed by complicated care.
According to my calculations, a health care provider now accepting straightforward fee-for-service billing will effectively be taxed on her income at a rate that is 10 to 14 percentage points higher than for an equivalent “managed care” provider. I have created an Excel Spreadsheet that will give you more precise estimates of the difference. Let me know if you would like a copy.
To break even net of tax, a fee-for-service provider must charge roughly 25 percent more (for the same procedure) than a managed care provider.
See my previous post on how well health care turns out when we keep it simple and allow markets to function without government controls.