Definition:
Balance billing is a medical billing practice increasingly instituted by health care providers to cover the cost of services rendered. If your doctor uses balance billing, she would bill you for any amount not covered by your insurance. So if her bill was for $1,000, and your insurance only covered $600, with balance billing, you would be responsible for the other $400.
It is illegal for health care providers affiliated with Medicare to practice balance billing. It is also illegal in most states for providers who are "in-network" to engage in balance billing, regardless of which insurance company they are affiliated with. Out-of-network providers, however, are usually permitted to do so.
