Health Insurance Class - Lesson #19 - Narrow Network Health Plans
Narrow-network plans have grown in popularity, particularly as a result of the Affordable Care Act's insurance exchanges, and because their cheaper premiums appeal to consumers shopping for health insurance. No matter what happens legally or politically with the healthcare reform law, narrow-network plans will likely continue to spread because of those price advantages. But there is significant consumer and provider dissatisfaction with how many of these plans are organized, including concern about inadequate provider and facility access and information. Insurers often have not developed consistency in building adequate networks and maintaining accurate, up-to-date provider directories. In some rural areas, there are too few in-network providers, forcing plan members to travel long distances to see a network provider or facility. Some patients will often find out that a hospital or doctor was out-of-network only after they receive a shockingly high bill.