Valley Health wants to alert you to some recent and emerging industry practices
that are causing confusion and frustration for employers and patients.
Over the past few years, a number of third-party vendors referred to as
“Reference-Based” or “No-Network” plans have begun
selling products and services to individuals and employers. These plans
do not provide the same financial protection that insurance does; however,
they are being marketed to employers as an opportunity to reduce health
care costs.
In some cases, these plans may cover physician office visits under a network
arrangement that does not include hospital care, creating a false sense
of security and leaving the patient at risk when hospital-based treatment
or emergency care is necessary. Unfortunately, the sales pitch for these
plans can be misleading or gloss over the shortcomings that leave patients
vulnerable to far greater out-of-pocket costs and non-covered expenses
than indicated in these plans’ marketing material. This is a scenario
we want to help you avoid.
If you have any questions regarding your insurance plan’s coverage
and benefits, the plan’s participation status with Valley Health,
or if you are considering changing insurance plans and would like to verify
a potentially new insurance plan’s participation status with Valley
Health hospitals and providers, please contact our Managed Care team’s
information line at
540-536-6140 or
payercontracts@valleyhealthlink.com. Although we cannot advocate any particular health insurance plan, we
can answer questions regarding coverage to help ensure you, your employees,
and their families have the level of coverage you believe you are purchasing.
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