According to the New York Times, an increasingly common practice used by hospitals is that some medical experts call drive-by doctoring assistants, consultants, and other hospital employees into cases and these incidents are charging patients or their insurers hefty fees. Most times patients do not realize these individuals have been involved or are charging until the bill arrives.

Questions:
1. What are some of the reasons why this charges can be so significant?
2. How does this practice drive medical insurance rates?
3. According to the Brookings Institution, how much does this contribute to the nation’s overall annual healthcare bill?
4. Insurance experts say surgeons and assistants sometimes share proceeds from operations. Do you think this is ethical and/or legal? Discuss.
5. Assuming the original bill from Dr. Tindel was $133,000, prepare the journal entry (using payables) that Dr. Nathaniel L. Tindel would make for the negotiated fee determined through Mr. Drier’s insurance company of $6,200, where Mr. Drier owes $3,000 to meet his deductible.

Source:
Rosenthal, E. (2014). After Surgery, Surprise $117,000 Medical Bill From Doctor He Didn’t Know. The New York Times, Sep. 20 (Retrievable online at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/us/drive-by-doctoring-surprise-medical-bills.html?emc=edit_th_20140921&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=62022414&_r=0)