Insurers Excluding Pricey Hospitals

From Crain's Chicago Business:

Every one of the 60 workers at Amitron Corp. snapped up the suburban manufacturer's new health insurance plan this spring, even though they won't be able to use marquee hospitals like Northwestern Memorial, Children's Memorial or University of Chicago Medical Center.

Those pricey, brand-name places were among a handful left out of a new PPO plan from UnitedHealthcare of Illinois aimed at mid-sized businesses weary of spiraling health care costs. Cutting out more-expensive hospitals and doctors can save companies as much as 15% on premiums.

Amitron, a circuit-board maker, still offers UnitedHealthcare's standard PPO, which allows workers to go to any hospital in metro Chicago. “But nobody takes it because it's so expensive,” says Amber McKibben, office manager at the Elk Grove Village-based company.

Now, imagine what would happen if patients could chose from a range of insurers across state lines, too...

-Wes