University catalogues and HMO co-payments: simple lessons in economic rationing

The rise of health maintenance organizations and its preferred provider kindred has encouraged an increased use of so-called reduced fee services. HMOs have historically marketed themselves as a cost-efficient, more holistic approach to providing for health care needs than do fee-based plans (insurance). But the typical pricing structure appears to have caused unanticipated and undesirable usage patterns to appear. Similar problems are shown to exist in non-medical environments.