Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 | 2 a.m.
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The balance of power between patients, doctors and big insurance companies is out of control. Insurers make all the decisions. They decide what’s covered and what isn’t, what’s “in-network” and what’s “out-of-network,” and how much they’ll reimburse patients, doctors and hospitals.
Recently, there’s been a spike in surprise medical billing. That’s because the less insurance companies cover and pay, the more they profit. Patients and families are threatened with medical bankruptcy by companies making record profits.
Big insurers are trying to pass legislation in Congress that would let them set the rates they pay to “out of network” hospitals and doctors. This legislation would give insurance companies the ability to low-ball providers and pocket even more money. This proposal is so extreme it could lead to doctor shortages and make it even harder for patients to find a doctor in their insurance network.
Congress can’t let this happen — and shouldn’t fall for deceitful compromises that are just rate-setting in disguise. The real solution is independent dispute resolution. It protects patients, it’s working in other states and it’s fair. It takes patients out of medical disputes, allowing hospitals and doctors to use independent arbitration to negotiate disputed medical bills.
