We are issued plastic insurance cards with our group and account numbers. But no one can be turned away from an emergency room, even if they do not have insurance.
My understanding is that if you are uninsured, you will be given emergency treatment even if you can not pay for it, but you would have to pay for routine treatment. I'm not sure in which category follow-up for treatment in the E.R. would fall.
Also, what I have described is our current system. We have recently had sweeping health care legislation passed. Among other things, it will require everyone to have health insurance. The new legislation has not yet been enforced, and there are questions as to its constitutionality. It might be struck down by the Supreme Court. All this is to say that our current system may or may not be the same one we'll be using in a few years.
Joy,
Lynn
