But the information on prices and costs cannot be exchanged between competing providers in any way that could be said to result in what again is a disguised illusion to price fixing. If we believe that financial incentives among doctor groups are the best way to control costs without hindering quality of care, these restrictions may make a glimmer of sense. But doctors are left to bargain in the dark. But fees are the wages of doctors. The costs of doing business represent a profit margin, or perhaps just keeping afloat.
Unions are accustomed to wage surveys to buttress collective bargaining negotiations.
Unions fight for equal pay for equal work. A union might help level the playing field so that both sides in negotiations have the needed essential facts. The antitrust requirements seem to benefit the MCOs administrations more than the providers. Doctors' groups see huge management pay and stock ownership for the CEOs of the for-profit managed care organizations while physicians' incomes shrink. Doctors are encouraged to group, but in cottage industry size.