As the CEO of SpecialtyCare (and as a surgeon), I feel it is imperative that I respond to a recent article published by NPR that shares a patient’s unfortunate financial experience with an Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) company that provided services during an important spine procedure on a young woman. READ THE ARTICLE HERE.
I want to assure all of our employees, surgeons, and patients that SpecialtyCare’s billing process is in complete contrast to that mentioned in the article and I want to share with you how we are different.
Unfortunately, some IONM companies charge rates that are 5 to 10 times higher than the usual and customary standard established in our industry and then attempt to collect the portion of this bill that is beyond what the insurance carrier will pay for from the patient. This is called “balance billing.” Balance billing is when a person or company, like the company mentioned in this article, attempts to bill the patient in excess of their copay and deductible, and again, outside of what the patient’s insurance plan will cover.
Here is the SpecialtyCare difference:
SpecialtyCare’s IONM practice supports over 120,000 patients annually in over 900 partnering hospitals and surgery centers in the most ethical and compliant way. I am very proud to be associated with a company whose high standards span from our medical delivery to our billing practice.
Sincerely,
Sam Weinstein, MD, MBA
SpecialtyCare CEO
Paige B. and Jasmine M. Posing infront of machine – blue caps @ Novato Surgery…