Patients Suffer as Insurers Challenge Doctors’ Orders
Many patients are finding that they can not follow their doctors’ orders for optimal care because their insurance companies delay and deny coverage for the procedures. A survey of members of the Ohio State Medical and American Medical Association found that more than 99 percent of the physicians reported insurance companies interfered with their medical decisions. About 14 percent reported that patients suffered serious complications as a result. Steve Eder, Toledo Blade 08/25/2008