The right way to make sure patients don’t get stuck with surprise bills

The balance of power between patients, doctors and big insurance companies is completely out of whack. The insurers call all the shots. They decide what’s “in-network” and “out-of-network,” what’s covered and isn’t, and how much they’ll reimburse patients, doctors and hospitals.

The less insurance companies cover and pay, the more money they make. It’s that simple. That’s why we’ve seen such a spike in surprise medical billing. Insurers are sticking patients with the bill rather than reimbursing care by out-of-network hospitals and doctors. Patients are being threatened with medical bankruptcy by companies making record profits. It’s outrageous!

Now the big insurers are trying to pass legislation in Congress that would let them set the rates they pay to out-of-network hospitals and doctors. They’ve spent more than $70 million lobbying lawmakers for legislation they call a solution to surprise medical billing. It isn’t. It would give insurance companies the ability to lowball providers and pocket more money. The proposal is so egregious it could undermine the long-term economic viability of hospitals and doctors.

Congress can’t let this happen — and they shouldn’t fall for false compromises that are just rate setting in disguise. The real solution is independent dispute resolution. It protects patients. It’s proven. And it’s fair. It takes patients out of medical disputes, allowing hospitals and doctors to use independent arbitration to negotiate disputed medical bills.

This is the way forward. Big insurance companies don’t deserve any more power to fleece their customers.

Lauren M. Lanham, RN, Division of Neurosciences, Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.