Question

Darcy has health Insurance, but she purchased a basic plan because she is a low income worker. Given her various health problems, her insurance is sufficient for her needs. Does Darcy's physician have an obligation to present her with lower-cost options regarding treatment so she can make decisions that take her financial status into consideration? In Darcy's state, there is no law that requires providers to share charge data with their patients.

Answer 1

Though there is no law that requires providers to share charge data with their patients in Darcy's state but being someone who knows her present health conditions and potential complications in the future better than anyone else, Darcy's physician should definitely present her with lower-cost options regarding treatment so she can make decisions that take her financial status into consideration. As a healthcare provider it is his sole duty to provide his patient with sufficient education and information about plans that are best suited for their respective patients. Undoubtedly, her insurance could be sufficient for her present needs but Darcy's physician would have a better knowledge about what plan would be better for her future requirements and there is nothing wrong with that as long as the proposed plan falls into her budget.