Most physicians in the U.S. have some stress related to associations with insurance providers.
Health care reform played a key role in the 2008 presidential elections. It continues to be a heated issue as of 2010. Legislators, physicians and the general public still are attempting to come to a consensus about what the best health care system is for the United States, as each system has advantages and disadvantages. This means exploring the alternatives to universal health coverage.
Independent Care
Under independent care, physicians would no longer associate themselves with insurance companies to gain profit incentives. Instead, physicians would take payments directly from their patients. This would cut much of the administrative costs that make health care cumbersome, because the physicians would have far less paperwork. Patients also would be able to see any physician they like, as they would not be limited to the doctors who accept their insurance plans. However, this is the most expensive system for the consumer, as they cover all expenses on their own. This is the system that was prominent in the United States prior to the mid-20th century when insurance companies started to develop seriously, although the government did have some medical assistance programs in place.
Private Third Party Pay
Private third party pay refers to a health insurance system in which a third party --- usually an insurance company --- steps in to cover medical costs after you pay premiums or other fees. The government may regulate how those third parties may treat consumers to some degree, but they are not involved in covering the medical costs. The third parties have to provide good care and competitive prices in order to do well and make a profit, and you're free to change third party providers if desired. The third party may limit which doctors you can see based on negotiated provider-physician contracts, however, and you usually still have to pay deductibles and premiums out of pocket. In some cases, employers get involved with third party payments, helping you to set aside money to cover premiums from your paychecks or covering the premiums entirely for you.
Mixed Private and Government Pay
The government may provide some interference with health care by providing health care assistance programs to low-income, disabled, elderly or otherwise disadvantaged individuals. In the United States, the primary programs for this purpose are Medicare and Medicaid. These programs do not eliminate private third-party payees, nor do they prevent individuals from paying out-of-pocket for care if they are able and want to do so. In fact, under this system, the government pays for care for only the most needy, and qualification for the government programs may be linked to a history of community service to the nation (i.e., work). Because the government doesn't cover everyone, there is still a need for the third party payers and for consumers to pay out of pocket.
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