On Aug. 22, the AAMC submitted comments in response to the request for information (RFI) from various federal agencies seeking feedback on consumers’ use of medical payment products to pay for health care and how these products may increase consumers’ medical debt.
The letter noted that there are many reasons patients struggle to afford care, chief among them consumers’ inability to afford comprehensive health insurance coverage. Health insurance plans that offer consumers limited benefits or have high patient cost-sharing obligations drive medical debt. The letter went on to say that “more should be done to enable consumers to purchase health insurance that offers more comprehensive, meaningful benefits. For example, eliminating the availability of health insurance plans that are not subject to the essential health benefits requirements.” The letter highlighted the focus should be on insurance reforms that provide consumers with access to affordable insurance products with reasonable cost-sharing requirements that meet their health care needs.