"I have health coverage through a private policy that uses a PPO network of doctors. I needed surgery for a left hand fracture and secured a doctor in the network, and the procedure was covered by my policy."

"However, the doctor used other services that were not in the network such as anesthesia services. This service charged a ridiculous fee way above the standard amount typical of that service. The insurance company tells me that the service is not covered above the amount they allow for non-network services and you are stuck paying the big bill."

"This is extremely unfair because the patient is penalized for the doctor choosing a service to use that is out of the insurer's network, and the patient has no control over what other ancillary services that the doctor chooses."

"To be fair, the insurer should pay the bill according to the network charges since the doctor and facility used for the surgery was in the provider's network."



NEXT: Protect our health the way we protect our cars

