12.1 Commercial Insurance Providers
Service providers are different from insurance companies. Service providers have subscribers rather than policyholders. These subscribers receive medical care services in exchange for premium payments. Commercial insurance companies operate on the reimbursement method. Service providers pay medical bills directly (depending on the contract). Policyowners obtain medical treatment from whatever source they feel is most appropriate and, per the terms of their policy, submit their charges to their insurer for reimbursement. The subscriber may not receive a bill at all, or might only have to pay a copayment (right of assignment).
