According to
Health News Florida, the practice of "balance billing," is increasing as doctor
groups and hospitals merge, but a legislative effort to protect patients
is under way in Tallahassee, Fla. Balance billing happens when a person
who is insured ends up in the emergency room at a hospital out of their
insurer's network and they are charged with extremely large payments.
The bills would bar balance-billing for emergency care regardless of which
type of health insurance product the patient has.