Could re-installing the "gatekeeper" referral save on health care costs in the U.S.? [View all]

[CTyankee]

I notice that health care plans often advertise "no referral needed" so I am guessing that most people don't like the old gatekeeper system. I think that can be wrong and very costly to our health care system in the U.S.

It seems that most people want to see a specialist first, without going through their primary care physician for a possible referral. But the experience I have had with my PCP has shown me that money and time can be saved by seeing him for most of my health care issues such as hypertension (with no heart disease) and arthritis (with a referral for physical therapy -- a godsend, IMO). My PCP hasn't hesitated to refer me to a surgeon in one case and a gastroenterologist in another. I'm in great shape for my age and see no reason not to seek his care and professional assessment of any new health problem FIRST.

This issue was raised a few years ago when I had been urged by my gynecologist to see a cardiologist immediately after having some high blood pressure readings and I asked my PCP about it. Since he does routine EKG screening at my yearly checkup he explained that I had no reason to go to a cardiologist. He put me on bp meds and my readings have been normal since.

I know this is probably an unpopular opinion on my part. But I am very happy with my own self-imposed "gatekeeper" system and we might do well to rethink the way we, as health consumers, feel about it.