The Hidden Fee Costing Doctors Millions Every Year
In a behind-the-scenes maneuver that went largely unnoticed, a federal agency’s unpublicized decision to retract a notice prohibiting insurance companies from charging doctors fees for electronic payments has had profound financial repercussions in the healthcare sector. This invisible victory for insurers has left physicians and hospitals facing an increasingly tightened financial bind. As a result, doctors are now compelled to pay fees of up to 5% to receive electronic payments, and even opting for traditional check payments doesn’t exempt them from these charges. This added financial strain exacerbates existing challenges for medical practitioners, who are already grappling with reduced reimbursement rates, network exclusions, and administrative hurdles.
Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger, a determined urologist and MSSNY Legislative Committee member, has embarked on a mission to uncover the truth behind this industry practice. ProPublica delves into Dr. Shteynshlyuger’s perseverance amidst a system demanding more of physicians than their medical expertise..
The Hidden Fee Costing Doctors Millions Every Year (Podkul, ProPublica, 8/14).
