Balance billing is a term that has become increasingly common in the healthcare industry. It refers to the practice of billing patients for the difference between what their insurance company pays and what the healthcare provider charges. This practice has become a controversial issue in recent years, with many patients and advocates calling for it to be banned. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of balance billing, as well as its origins and associations.
Definitions
Balance billing is a term used to describe the practice of billing patients for the difference between what their insurance company pays and what the healthcare provider charges. This can occur when a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider, or when the provider charges more than the insurance company is willing to pay.
Origin
The practice of balance billing has been around for many years, but it has become more prevalent in recent years due to changes in the healthcare industry. As insurance companies have become more selective about which providers they work with, many patients have found themselves receiving care from out-of-network providers and being balance billed for the difference.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The term balance billing is not commonly found in most dictionaries. However, it is often defined as the practice of billing patients for the difference between what their insurance company pays and what the healthcare provider charges.
Associations
Balance billing is often associated with the healthcare industry and the controversy surrounding the high cost of healthcare in the United States. It is also associated with the debate over the role of insurance companies in determining which providers patients can see and how much they will be charged for their care.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for balance billing, including surprise billing, out-of-network billing, and patient billing.
Antonyms
The opposite of balance billing would be in-network billing, which occurs when a patient receives care from a provider who is in their insurance company’s network and is therefore not balance billed for any additional charges.
The same root words
There are no specific root words associated with balance billing, as it is a term that has been coined to describe a specific practice in the healthcare industry.
Example Sentences
- After receiving care from an out-of-network provider, John was shocked to receive a balance bill for several thousand dollars.
- The practice of balance billing has become a major issue in the healthcare industry, with many patients calling for it to be banned.
- Even patients who carefully research their healthcare providers can still be balance billed if their insurance company does not cover all of the charges.