By: Max Gordon- Spectrum News Austin
May 8, 2017
AUSTIN, Texas — Doctors are criticizing Texas’ largest health insurance provider for a controversial new billing process.
Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that starting June 4, Texans who go to an out-of-network ER might have to pay all of the costs themselves if the visit isn’t not deemed to be necessary.
“This will create deaths. This will kill people. People will die because of this. This for sure will cause people to think twice and not go to the emergency room,” said Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich, an ER doctor and member of the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers.