reimbursing plans. Most offices will at least set charges at what their highest paying insurance will reimburse.

There lies the problem. When you accept many insurances that reimburse very different amounts it makes it much more complicated. That is where perception of “over billing” comes from in most cases.

Just realize if you have Medicare or state insurance like Medicaid, your provider in many cases is reimbursed at a much lower rate in many cases vs. commercial insurances.

It is absolutely insane how much variance there is in what insurance companies value different codes and procedures.

No business/practice owner that wants to succeed will set fees lower than their highest reimbursing insurance will pay.

There is no simple legislation that fixes this.

For the eyecare realm as I get further in my career, the appeal of a pure cash pay practice is better and better by the year.

I can give patient a receipt and you can go fight for or collect what you can get on your own. I could probably see 1/3rd less patients, make as much money and have 1/2 the staff I employ.

Part that is hard is I know this would leave many patients I’ve had for years in a tough spot, especially those with fewer resources or who I see who have govt assistance.

My life would be infinitely easier and less stressful but then the perception is I’d be abandoning patients and only in it for the money. I am in a smaller community and I already provide service to many that no other providers will see them.

The issue is so much more complex than just having a price list (which I do btw). But many times patients still flip out because expectation is “I have insurance, I shouldn’t have to pay anything.” Now I am the bad guy because they don’t know how their insurance works and it doesn’t pay for everything and I am charging them.