What it really means when doctors say they don't take insurance

Some doctors really mean it when they say they do not take health insurance. For others, it is more of a nuanced statement. Consumers trying to decipher the difference have to ask a lot of questions to figure out how to manage their bills. Here are the three key scenarios facing consumers: 1. "I do not take your insurance, but I will work with you on the price." A growing number of doctors simply are not taking contracts with insurance companies, although the concentration varies by region and by specialty. That leaves patients to pay the market rate the doctor charges, and then submit a receipt to get reimbursement for out-of-network coverage, if they have it.