[toast0]

> The requesting provider can do it for free, or the patient can pay cash.

That might not be actually an option. Well the provider can do it for free, probably; but they may not be able to accept money for care that was denied coverage. A Medicare provider can charge patients for things outside the scope of Medicare, but generally can't charge for things in scope but deemed not medically necessary: ex if Medicare says 6 PT visits for whatever and you would like to have 8, you can't pay the provider for two more; you'd have to find a non medicare provider or come back with a fake moustache.

[irishcoffee]

I had to take my kid to an express care doctor in the US. My wife had the insurance cards and was on travel. I said I would just pay cash. They said because I had insurance I was not legally allowed to pay cash.

[nradov]

There is no such law. But many employees in healthcare provider organizations are ignorant about the law and just repeat what someone told them.