The demise of a landmark bill in Florida has lots of physicians and others talking about fair ways to limit out-of-network expenditures in a variety of health care scenarios, and how to provide patients with transparency regarding their eventual medical treatment costs. The Florida Senate has refused to pass a bill called SPB 7186; two issues addressed by this bill, a version of which passed in the Florida House, are high out-of-network charges and what's called "balance billing," where costs not picked up by an insurer are pushed onto patients. There's also a part of the bill that requires more clear explanation of procedure and treatment costs to patients.
It would seem that this kind of legislation should be wildly popular, since it provides some consumer protections that many patient advocates have been demanding, but some Florida doctors and other critics are solidly against the bill, and glad to see it defeated. Some claim that the bill would effectively destroy existing PPO health insurance arrangements by altering the agreed-on out-of-network charges that form part of that complex insurance contract between doctors, insurance companies and other parties. It's also been suggested that the requirements for posting costs of medical care might end up being too complicated for many medical providers to handle.
Though local doctors may consider themselves saved from the burden of compliance with this kind of law, many consumers are feeling squeezed by high medical bills, partly due to balance billing and related situations where an insurance company does not accept a certain value for services provided. Too often, these kinds of billing gaps send patient responsibility amounts into the stratosphere, and beleaguered patients either give up on paying, or end up struggling with complex debt negotiations in a haze of red tape and third-party communications. For many consumer advocates, the bottom line is that something like this bill is ultimately necessary to protect more Americans from medical bankruptcy.
Unfortunately, with all of the errors and complexities of today's complicated medical billing industry, it's often up to patients to take a stand and protect their own rights and their own finances. One way that patients can demand more transparency and fairness in medical billing is to sign the petition for a "Patient's Financial Bill of Rights." The web site billadvocates.com maintains this resource for American consumers as a way to push for more of what today's patients need from their providers, insurers and other involved parties such as government programs. Help argue for the crowds of Americans who are threatened by high medical debt today.
Ron McLaughlin makes it easy for you to see how your medical practice can increase its predictable cash flow. To get your free, no-obligation consultation, contact Ron by completing the form at http://www.rmk123.com/contact-us.html. You'll see just how you can increase your revenue by up to 40% with RMK's all-inclusive medical billing and revenue management services.
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