02/12/2026
Why are more and more doctors choosing to be out of network (not contracted) with insurance companies?
What most patients don't know is that your in network doctor had to sign a contract with the insurance company they participate with. When they do that, the doctor agrees to abide by the insurance company's policies, regulations, and fee schedules. These policies at times can create a conflict between what the doctor wants to do in your best interest for your condition and what your insurance company's policies and fee schedules dictate the doctor can provide per your plan.
Furthermore, the insurance companies get to set the doctor's fee (essentially their pay). Over the past 10 years, insurance companies have reduced their reimbursements (the doctor's pay) by an average off 30 percent, while the cost of doing business has continued to go up.
Doctors are now at a crossroads between choosing to stay in your network, seeing more patients in less time and trying to make ends meet on 30% less OR dropping out of the network OR get bought out by a corporation.
Hoping that more and more providers will shed light on this topic so patients are aware of why the system is the way it is.
