> The doctor's practice or hospital gets the extra $1656, from the insurer.
No, they don't.
Insurance pays out their negotiated rate of like $100 for that 15 minute appointment. (Which likely has some pre- and post-appointment work involved. My doc has clearly at least skimmed my chart prior, and I get a written note later. I'm also seen by a nurse initially.)
The rates have to be obscenely high on paper so the insurer gets their big win negotiating.
No, they don't.
Insurance pays out their negotiated rate of like $100 for that 15 minute appointment. (Which likely has some pre- and post-appointment work involved. My doc has clearly at least skimmed my chart prior, and I get a written note later. I'm also seen by a nurse initially.)
The rates have to be obscenely high on paper so the insurer gets their big win negotiating.
The rest just... evaporates. https://imgur.com/a/X5oLXgr