This also was intended to minimize the number of bills patients would receive from any given visit. This is not the case and patients should always ask about the status of any physician if they have any questions. Many patients have suggested that we put up signs informing everyone of which doctors are contracted providers and which are not. Unfortunately, federal law prohibits a hospital from displaying this information. The fear is that someone with a true emergency medical condition may decide to not seek needed treatment out of fear of incurring financial hardship.
Original ideas receive priority over responses to previous columns.
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