Health Insurance Changes--Some Effects on You

Florida Gov. Crist signed legislation that allows doctors who are not listed medical providers for a specific preferred provider organization (PPO) to still offer care and be paid directly by the PPO. The doctor would be paid at the PPO-scheduled rate for the procedure performed, and, in theory, could bill the patient for the difference between the doctor's standard fee and what was paid by the PPO (so-called "balance-billing"). If the balance remains unpaid, collection agencies could be the next step.

Was the timing of this really good, given levels of downsizing and unemployment?

Comments are welcomed.