[coredog64]

This misunderstands how employer-provided insurance works for most people. Large employers sign up with a company like Cigna to provide a network and administrative process. But the actual healthcare is covered by the employer. So really, Cigna or BCBS don't really give a rip if you're taking a bunch of money out of the pool.

[fn-mote]

USA: That’s the case if your company is “self-insured”. Some are, some aren’t. I imagine there are financial requirements to self-insure but I’ve never looked.

[reverendsteveii]

So what you're saying is when I file a claim and it's paid (precious miracle that that is) it comes from my employer and not the insurance company?

[sgerenser]

Most likely, if you’re in a medium to large company (not sure the cutoff, probably somewhere around 500-1000 employees). Smaller companies will generally actually need the insurance company to be the payer as well since otherwise one or two huge payouts could bankrupt them.