Here is an interesting article for all of you who don't believe the healthcare system in America has been gouging the uninsured. Further proof why the ACA is needed and universal insurance is the only solution to capitalism in the healthcare arena http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...1e5-9e39-0db921c47b93_story.html?tid=pm_pop_b For all of those who believe you can actually negotiate with hospitals and doctors if you are uninsured be warned by reality.
First of all healthcare system has to declare as a service instead of industry. As long as its an industry thing will not change.
How many times have you attempted to negotiate with a hospital or physician for your medical treatment? If you have insurance they will verify your coverage before providing treatment and tell you what if anything is covered, what will go to deductible and what percentage of the charges you will be responsible for. At this point is where you negotiate. If you deductible is so high all charges will go to the deductible, then ask for a cash discount if you can afford to pay for your care. Most providers will give you a discount or work out an affordable payment plan. I fear you really don't understand how this insurance system works and the problems that Exchange policies are causing the policy holders. If there is one thing I am an expert on, it is health care and health insurance.
That is of course totally irrelevant to the article posted. And I have done a lot of negotiating with doctors and hospitals in the days when I could not get insurance and not once was,it possible to get my bill lowered to the same amount large insurance companies would have paid. This despite the fact that there would be less paperwork since I was capable of paying cash. If you actually have the expertise You claim in Medical Billing and costs you know perfectly well that the uninsured are way overcharged compared to those with insurance. Mathis article is just proof that in some cases it is worse than in others. P.S. just what is your role in medicine. Seems to change from post to post.
