Post by Logan on Jan 19, 2016 23:26:43 GMT -6
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has proposed new legislation to end so-called “surprise” medical bills for emergency care that can saddle patients with hundreds or thousands of dollars in unexpected debt.
It’s a move supported by patients like David Moulton, 59, of Seattle, who said he was charged more than $700 in out-of-network fees when he sought emergency care in 2012 for what turned out to be leukemia. The hospital was covered by his health insurance, but the doctors in the ER were not, he said.
“I think if they are going to do business in a hospital, they need to honor what that hospital does,” he said. “How am I gonna check an ER doc? How am I gonna check an anesthesiologist?”
It’s especially true in an emergency situation, he added: “That is the farthest thing from your mind, plus you might not even be conscious to ask.”
Continued at www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/insurance-commissioner-targets-ers-surprise-medical-bills/ .
It’s a move supported by patients like David Moulton, 59, of Seattle, who said he was charged more than $700 in out-of-network fees when he sought emergency care in 2012 for what turned out to be leukemia. The hospital was covered by his health insurance, but the doctors in the ER were not, he said.
“I think if they are going to do business in a hospital, they need to honor what that hospital does,” he said. “How am I gonna check an ER doc? How am I gonna check an anesthesiologist?”
It’s especially true in an emergency situation, he added: “That is the farthest thing from your mind, plus you might not even be conscious to ask.”
Continued at www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/insurance-commissioner-targets-ers-surprise-medical-bills/ .