Although many physicians may tell patients who leave against medical advice that the health insurer will not pay for their care, health insurers still usually cover the care, according to a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Researchers looked at more than 46,000 patients who were admitted from 2001 to 2010 at a single academic institution, as well as internal medicine residents and attendings. The study found 526 patients, or 1.1 percent, left the hospital against medical advice, and there were no cases of payment refusal from the insurer due to the patient leaving against medical advice.
However, 68.6 percent of residents and 43.9 percent of attendings thought the insurance company denied payment when a patient leaves against medical advice. The most common reason for counseling patients on the myth was so the patient would reconsider staying in the hospital.
Researchers looked at more than 46,000 patients who were admitted from 2001 to 2010 at a single academic institution, as well as internal medicine residents and attendings. The study found 526 patients, or 1.1 percent, left the hospital against medical advice, and there were no cases of payment refusal from the insurer due to the patient leaving against medical advice.
However, 68.6 percent of residents and 43.9 percent of attendings thought the insurance company denied payment when a patient leaves against medical advice. The most common reason for counseling patients on the myth was so the patient would reconsider staying in the hospital.
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