Conclusion
The authors note that consumers share responsibility in avoiding balance billing. For example, the authors recommend that consumers, when possible, should make sure the hospital or doctor they are about to visit is in their plan's network and understand what services their insurance plan covers before seeking treatment, among other steps consumers can take to protect themselves. If consumers do receive balance bills, they should contact their doctor, insurer, and state insurance department to see if remedies are available.
About the Grantee
The Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute is a nonpartisan, expert team of faculty and staff dedicated to conducting research on the complex and developing relationship between state and federal oversight of health insurance markets.