Opinion: It’s not the government that wants to get between you and your doctor; it’s your insurance company

To the editor: David Lazarus’ Jan. 23 column, “When your insurer denies a valid claim because of ‘lack of medical necessity,’” speaks specifically to one of the most ridiculous and enduring charges concerning the Affordable Care Act — that the government is trying to get between you and your doctor.

Insurance companies have been denying, arguing and demanding changes in treatment plans as long as there have been premiums to pay. That a physician working for an insurance company can contradict a diagnosis or treatment option by an attending physician that is actually in the room with the patient is awfully hard to fathom.

Those complaining the loudest about government intervention are apparently content to allow the for-profit insurance industry to make the final decisions on their healthcare.

Martin Wauson, Westminster

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To the editor: My thanks to Lazarus for writing about health insurers that regularly deny claims. He notes that only patients who are willing to put in the time disputing the denials end up prevailing; maybe he should examine how much this costs employers.

From 1989-2012, when I worked for large companies, I had to take valuable time from my workday to fight insurers so I could receive the benefits for which my employer and I were paying. I’d be interested to see a study specifying exactly how much money companies lose in lost productivity when their employees are busy disputing claim denials.

When business leaders and their elected representatives put pressure on insurance companies to stop robbing their customers, maybe we will start to see fewer claim denials.

Michael Krubiner, Valley Village

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