Opinion

United's threat to fine physicians is on top of enough other burdens

LETTER — Posted June 4, 2007

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Regarding "United's fine mess" (Editorial, May 14): I read with interest your editorial on UnitedHealth Group's position on laboratory services performed out of network. As a medical office manager for 23 years, I can see that the burden of doing the insurance companies' job of educating their insureds has become totally exhausting. Doctors have enough burdensome restrictions, rules and government regulations to deal with (not to mention what their office staff deals with daily) without this threat. It is a wonder that anyone wants to practice medicine these days. Retirement won't come soon enough for me.

Judith L. DePalma, Easton, Pa.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/06/04/edlt0604.htm.

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