What Is This Charge From the Doctor?

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Even though this information fromTrisha Torrey is from Jan 7, 2012 and repeated on Jan 17, 2013, it isvery applicable. Doctors are looking to stay afloat financially andare looking for ways to cover costs the government is making moreonerous. Then add to this the requirements that the insurancecompanies are requiring from the doctors, this all adds up to coststhe doctors are unable to continue to cover.
What is different today? Read this,“Up until a few years ago, if you needed a test or a procedure,then it was scheduled, you had it, the doctor billed for it, and theinsurance company paid for it. With few exceptions, that's not thecase today. Today, if you need a test or procedure, then someone fromthe doctor's office has to call and get permission for you to haveit. With no permission, it doesn't get paid for - and not only willthe doctor not get the money from the insurance company, but YOU willhave to pay for it out of your pocket. That is why you sign all thatpaperwork that says you'll be responsible for anything that's notcovered.”
I will let you read the article byTorrey and move on to the reason I am thinking this charge may get alot larger. In my blog “ADA Changes Blood Glucose Monitoring”, Imentioned that the ADA wants insurance companies to be more flexiblein reimbursing for test strips. Insurance companies are thinkingabout having meter downloads sent to them. Doctors will then berequired to have software available to download the meters and mostprimary care physicians do not presently have the software. Theywill not accept the cost and the patients with diabetes will be theones charged.
Chances are only the patients onintensive testing will be the ones charged, but it would pay to knowwhat the doctor is thinking beforehand. If the costs the doctor willpass on are more than the cost of extra test strips, then it may notbe wise to want them reimbursed. Of course none of this has happenedyet, but insurance companies are considering their options to complywith the ADA especially if they get more specific next year. One option may be for you to have thesoftware on your computer so that you can download you own meter, andforward this to the insurance company. However, you will need tofind out if this will be acceptable once your insurance companydecides this is the requirement.
This is just one more example of howour insurers are being greedy at our expense and we end up payingdouble for their greed.