Have you ever opened a bill from a doctor or a hospital and tossed it aside thinking, “They just haven’t received the insurance company payment yet.” After the second or third notice, certainly after the notice from the collection agency, you might pay attention.
When health policy experts discuss payment reform, this is not part of the discussion.
But I would like to propose that payment reform include this simple principle – treat me; accept my insurance.
Have you ever called a doctor and asked whether they accept XYZ insurance. “Yes, they politely tell you. We accept all insurances.” What they don’t tell you is that they accept it as partial payment on the total bill.