A big insurer backed off its plan to pay less for anesthesia. That’s bad.

December 9, 2024

a nurse holding a syringe

(Vox) – Americans have many justified grievances with insurance companies, which often refuse to cover necessary care.

But this particular fight was not actually about putting the interests of patients against those of rapacious corporations. Anthem’s policy would not have increased costs for their enrollees. Rather, it would have reduced payments for some of the most overpaid physicians in America. And when millionaire doctors beat back cost controls — as they have here — patients pay the price through higher premiums. (Read More)