Comments on: A hidden benefit of health insurance http://blog.mischel.com/2008/04/28/a-hidden-benefit-of-health-insurance/ Musings on technology and life Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:37:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Roy Harvey http://blog.mischel.com/2008/04/28/a-hidden-benefit-of-health-insurance/comment-page-1/#comment-1971 Roy Harvey Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:52:07 +0000 http://blog.mischel.com/2008/04/28/a-hidden-benefit-of-health-insurance/#comment-1971 I spoke with my daughter since I posted my first comment. She confirmed that not all such insurance plans have "in plan providers" who agree to the negotiated rates. One example was a $125 office visit costing $75. So you have made a very important point, but the key is to find out how each insurance plan works in this regard. I spoke with my daughter since I posted my first comment. She confirmed that not all such insurance plans have “in plan providers” who agree to the negotiated rates. One example was a $125 office visit costing $75.

So you have made a very important point, but the key is to find out how each insurance plan works in this regard.

]]> By: Roy Harvey http://blog.mischel.com/2008/04/28/a-hidden-benefit-of-health-insurance/comment-page-1/#comment-1969 Roy Harvey Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:58:34 +0000 http://blog.mischel.com/2008/04/28/a-hidden-benefit-of-health-insurance/#comment-1969 Very interesting. I think there might be a bit more to it though. I suspect that you are using "in network" providers who have struck a deal with your specific insurance company. The deal says that they will accept the agreed prices as the full price. What is open to question is how many other insurance plans that are available are not based on an agreed rate. Another insurer, or another policy, might simply agree to pay what is "reasonable", which will of course be much less than what anyone actually charges, but not have any agreement in place with any providers to settle for that amount. Such a policy would not have the benefit you describe. Very interesting. I think there might be a bit more to it though. I suspect that you are using “in network” providers who have struck a deal with your specific insurance company. The deal says that they will accept the agreed prices as the full price. What is open to question is how many other insurance plans that are available are not based on an agreed rate. Another insurer, or another policy, might simply agree to pay what is “reasonable”, which will of course be much less than what anyone actually charges, but not have any agreement in place with any providers to settle for that amount. Such a policy would not have the benefit you describe.

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