SPOTLIGHT: Some physicians say charging patients extra fees is necessary to survive

A growing number of doctors across the country are asking patients to pay extra fees for services insurance doesn't cover, such as no-show fees of $30 to $50 for missed appointments, varying charges for filling out health forms for school, work or athletic teams, and annual administrative fees of $35 to $120 or more to simply be a patient in some practices. "It's not unlike the airlines," William Jessee, president of the Medical Group Management Association, told the USA Today, noting that MGMA generally advises against extra fees that may anger patients or run afoul of insurance contracts. "They've gone from all-inclusive to a la carte. That's what you're seeing with physicians." FiercePracticeManagement