On the upside, physicians would see the bills as their patients see them, which would remind them of the tradeoffs associated with expensive treatments.
One the downside, physicians have to play the dual role of healer and bill collector.
FROM JAMA:
Through increasing deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments, the privately insured population in the US is responsible for a larger share of health care out-of-pocket costs. Although many studies have examined the effects on patients, the implications for physicians have received less attention. The increase in cost sharing is forcing many physicians and health systems to take on the role of bill collectors. It is a task for which physician practices are unsuited. The result is a system with substantial administrative burden, frustrated patients struggling with confusing bills, and physicians receiving less compensation. This Viewpoint describes the drivers of this trend, the consequences for physician practices (with a focus on physicians but discussing issues relevant to a range of clinicians), a wave of new companies looking to solve the problem, and what might be done to improve the situation.
HT: Allison
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