The reason to not accept insurance for most regular doctors is simply put, more money. I have an ongoing normal medical issue, including diagnosis, surgery and follow up treatments. I monitor all the bills sent to my insurance company and what is getting paid out. I have a good, company paid for insurance plan. So my situation is pretty average all around.
My point is that if an office visit charge is 250, my insurance pays out around 20 dollars, plus my co-payment.
If a surgery runs 17,000, my insurance pays out around 7000. And so on.
If no insurance is accepted, I would have to pay the billing rate, not the "insurance payment negotiated rate". Thus, if my Dr bills 250 for an office visit, and does not accept insurance - he would get 250 for my visit, and i would get 20 or so from the insurance company if I filed. Very different from accepting the rate the insurance company dictates.
I sincerely hope that people only go to a Dr that does not accept insurance when they really understand the financial realities of the difference. And I strongly hope that this does not become a trend, as it would be ruinous to our already fragile healthcare in this country. We already pay way more than other countries that have much better coverage, and better outcomes.
And please knock off the pharma bashing. It's a for-profit industry, like any other. If people want to see them act in the interest of patients first, then socialize medical care. Otherwise, profits are the only thing that should matter to a drug company. It's the law regulating all publicly traded companies that their only obligation is to the shareholders.
