[blueash]

Balance billing is when the doctor has a charge, say 1000, and the insurance only allows 500, but instead of writing off that 500 the doctor bills the patient for the amount not covered by insurance. Sort of how most dental coverage now works. We have all seen those blood test bills of 800 fee and the insurance allows 27 and somehow makes a profit while writing off the 773.

Should this system be eliminated specifically for Medicare patients? The idea is that perhaps more doctors will accept Medicare if they can bill and collect whatever they charge, some from Medicare and the rest from the patient. This might incentivize some doctors to come to our area as taking care of Medicare patients will result in much higher income than taking care of the rest of the population where there are write offs on the insured and non-collection on the uninsured.