Pennsylvania Regulator Warns Health Insurers About Provider COVID-19 Bills

But, even if doctors have warned patients about the testing prices, by posting the prices in their offices, “some laboratories or other testing services are charging amounts that are well in excess of their costs,” Altman writes. “Even if the charges are publicly posted, the amount may be considered improper price gouging.”

If a health insurer or dental insurer finds in-network providers engaging in either of those  billing practices, the insurer should see if it can use the terms of the provider agreement to get the providers to stop doing that, Altman says.

“Where the provider engaged in either of these billing practices is not in a health insurer’s network, or where any action taken does not result in a resolution that avoids imposing costs on insureds, the health insurer may wish to consider making a referral to the Office of Attorney General at [email protected],” Altman says.

Insurers should also consider warning consumers about the problem billing practices, and it want to provide tools consumers can use to file complaints, either with the insurer or with the state’s attorney’s general office, Altman says.

— Read States Ask Congress for Help With the $30,000 Air Ambulance Bills, on ThinkAdvisor.

— Connect with ThinkAdvisor Life/Health on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.