If patients had more control, they might opt for specialty care more often. That could end up raising costs without necessarily improving patients' health. Consumers have the right to obtain emergency health care when and where it is needed. If chest pains turn out to be heartburn, you can end up with a big bill for emergency room visits. Patients might be more likely to seek unnecessary emergency room care if there is less of a chance they will have to pay for it.
Consumers have the right to participate fully in all decisions related to their care.
Consumers have the right to be treated with respect by health care providers, who should not discriminate against anyone. But treating patients with respect is good business, especially if plans are required to publish satisfaction surveys. Consumers have the right to gain access to their medical records, which, like all personal information about their health, should remain confidential. The more players in the health care system, the more people who could be nosing into private medical records. To date, the health care industry has blocked major efforts to protect privacy.