By: Karina Gonzalez
Balance billing occurs when a provider collects from a patient the difference between the amount billed for a covered service and the amount paid for that service. Balance billing does not apply when collecting deductibles, copayments or coinsurance.
Under Florida law, a provider may not balance bill a patient for any service, if an HMO is liable and responsible for payment. Contrary to what many people believe, this is true whether you are in-network or out-of-network. Even hospital based out-of-network physicians, such as anesthesiologists, pathologists, radiologists or emergency room physicians cannot balance bill HMO members where the hospital has a contract with the HMO or there was authorization given for an episode of care.Continue reading
