I'm sure I'm being naieve, but could we just get rid of billing altogether if we nationalize the health care system? I have to recount an anecdote. My mom was hiking in a foreign country, and got injured. She hobbled to the next town, and found a clinic. They treated her and were ready to let her go. She said:
Q: Okay, how do I pay?
A: You don't pay for health care.
Q: I'm American. I'm not part of your health care system.
A: That's all well and good, but we have no way of knowing how much to charge you, how to take your money, or where to send it. Have a nice vacation.
The clinic probably maintained some accounting records, but they simply had no billing system.
Q: Okay, how do I pay?
A: You don't pay for health care.
Q: I'm American. I'm not part of your health care system.
A: That's all well and good, but we have no way of knowing how much to charge you, how to take your money, or where to send it. Have a nice vacation.
The clinic probably maintained some accounting records, but they simply had no billing system.