Oxford Health Plans under fire

The hospital industry is blasting Oxford Health Plans--and owner UnitedHealth--over what it sees as unethical billing practices. In New York, one woman decided to use an out-of-network surgeon that practiced at an in-network hospital. She was prepared to pay the difference for the surgeon but was shocked when she received a bill for her entire stay, despite the fact that she used an in-network hospital. Oxford claims that it did nothing wrong and that its policies were clearly communicated to the patient. But the Healthcare Association of New York State says the billing practice is highly unusual and that Oxford is just trying to dodge its responsibilities. The association has filed a complaint with the attorney general's office. In an industry where patients, doctors and other hospitals often clash with health plans, Oxford has garnered more complaints that most. Oxford and parent UnitedHealth say that their tight management is an attempt to help keep healthcare costs down.

For more on the Oxford complaints:
- check out this article from The New York Times