Neeum Zawan wrote:
> On 08/26/09 08:51, Tom Austin wrote:
>> The provider charges $1000 for a procedure, yet the health insurance
>> company pays only $200 and due to an agreement with the provider the
>> difference ($800) is waived.
>> The provider got only $200 for the service and somehow is able to stay
>> in business.
>> Yet, if I did not have insurance, the provider would charge $1000 and
>> attempt to receive it from me - $800 more for the exact same procedure.
>> If the provider is willing to accept $200 for the procedure, why do they
>> charge $1000?
> 
>     To make up for the amount they lost.
> 
>     Many of the doctors/hospitals contend that they *cannot* stay in 
> business if they keep accepting the negotiated rates that insurers 
> demand. So they charge people who aren't insured to recover as much as 
> they can.
> 
>     It's a well known "policy". They've admitted to it at various times.
> 

Maybe I misspoke when I said that the provider was happy with the 
insurance reimbursement.  I know the insurance companies 'negotiate' 
fairly aggressively.

So, this makes the situation even worse - the uninsured have to make up 
for the insured.

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