1 in 4 Pennsylvanians say they paid out of pocket for their annual checkup. Why isn’t insurance covering these preventive visits?
Billing errors, testing and questions about new symptoms can lead to unexpected bills, making some patients wary to go back for their next checkup.
A recent survey found that nearly one in four insured patients in Pennsylvania paid out of pocket for their most recent annual checkup. This issue stems from confusion over how preventive care is billed under health insurance plans. While the Affordable Care Act requires most health plans to cover certain recommended preventive services at no additional cost, many patients are still being charged for these visits.
Even minor errors in billing can lead to unexpected bills, discouraging people from getting important screenings and checkups. Patients should verify what preventive services are covered by their insurance and whether their provider is in-network before each visit. Uncertainty about costs and insurance coverage may be deterring some from seeking preventive care, even though early detection can lead to better treatment outcomes.
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