Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the issue of "dual pricing" in pharmacies, where the price of a medication is higher when paid through health insurance compared to cash payments, leading to increased costs for insured individuals and undermining the integrity of the health insurance system [1][2][3] Group 1: Pricing Mechanism - The phenomenon of "dual pricing" results in insured individuals facing higher medication costs, transforming health insurance personal accounts into tools for paying inflated prices [2] - Pharmacies exploit the lack of sensitivity among insured individuals regarding their health insurance accounts, creating a dilemma where consumers feel they lose money regardless of their payment method [1][2] Group 2: Impact on Health Insurance System - The existence of price discrepancies diminishes public trust in the health insurance system, as individuals realize they cannot purchase medications at equivalent prices using their insurance [2] - The practice of "dual pricing" is seen as a means for pharmacies to extract funds from health insurance, potentially leading to fraudulent behaviors and significant leakage of health insurance funds [2] Group 3: Regulatory Recommendations - To address these issues, it is recommended that health insurance authorities establish a dynamic price monitoring mechanism and enhance daily management of designated pharmacies, including increased inspections and penalties for violations [2][3] - The implementation of immediate settlement reforms for health insurance funds is suggested to alleviate financial pressure on pharmacies, thereby reducing the incentive for "dual pricing" practices [3] - A graded management system for designated pharmacies should be established, linking compliance with pricing to health insurance payment limits, rewarding compliant operators while penalizing violators [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "dual pricing" in pharmacies, where the price of a medication differs significantly depending on whether a consumer pays with cash or through their medical insurance card, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in pricing practices [1][2][3] Group 1: Pricing Discrepancies - A specific case is highlighted where a medication priced at 18 yuan costs 26 yuan when paid for with a medical insurance card, representing a nearly 50% increase [1] - This pricing discrepancy is not isolated, as similar experiences have been reported by other consumers in different regions, indicating a potential widespread issue [1][3] Group 2: Cost Transfer and Justifications - One explanation for the price difference is the longer settlement period for medical insurance payments, which incurs a 2% to 3% fee that pharmacies may pass on to consumers [2] - However, this rationale is questioned, as the extent of the price increase cannot be solely attributed to these fees, suggesting that pharmacies may be exploiting the situation for additional profit [2] Group 3: Consumer Impact and Perception - Consumers express frustration over the higher costs associated with using their medical insurance cards, feeling that they are unfairly penalized despite the funds being their own [3] - The article warns that if such pricing practices are normalized, it could lead to broader skepticism about the medical insurance system and diminish consumer confidence in participating in insurance programs [3] Group 4: Regulatory Concerns - The article calls for regulatory scrutiny of these pricing practices, emphasizing that consumers should not be subjected to discriminatory pricing and that medical insurance funds should not be exploited [3]