Medical bills can be a significant financial burden for many people, especially if they have to pay for services that their insurance provider does not cover. In some cases, patients may receive a bill from their healthcare provider that is higher than what they expected. This is known as a balance bill, and it is a term that has become increasingly common in the healthcare industry.
Definitions
A balance bill is a medical bill that a patient receives after their insurance company has paid their portion of the bill. It is the amount that the patient is responsible for paying out of pocket. Balance bills can occur when a healthcare provider charges more than what the insurance company is willing to pay, or when the insurance company only covers a portion of the cost.
Origin
The term balance bill originated in the United States, where it is commonly used in the healthcare industry. It is a relatively new term, and its use has become more prevalent in recent years as healthcare costs have continued to rise.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of balance bill is consistent across different dictionaries. It refers to a medical bill that a patient receives after their insurance company has paid its portion of the bill.
Associations
Balance bills are often associated with surprise medical bills, which occur when a patient receives a bill for services that they thought were covered by their insurance. They are also associated with out-of-network providers, as patients may be charged more for services received from providers who are not in their insurance network.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for balance bill, including patient responsibility, out-of-pocket costs, and cost-sharing.
Antonyms
The antonym of balance bill is a fully-covered medical bill, where the insurance company pays for the entire cost of the medical services.
The same root words
There are no other words that share the same root words as balance bill.
Example Sentences
- “I was surprised to receive a balance bill for my recent hospital stay, as I thought my insurance covered everything.”
- “I had to pay a significant amount in patient responsibility fees after my surgery, as my insurance only covered a portion of the cost.”
- “I was frustrated to learn that the provider I saw for my medical issue was out-of-network, as I received a balance bill for the services I received.”