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    Anthem Policy Discouraging 'Avoidable' Emergency Room Visits Faces Criticism

    Under the health insurer's policy, Anthem can retroactively restrict or deny coverage if the company decides that a visit to the emergency room could have been avoided.
    by Samantha Raphelson May 23, 2018 3 minutes
    The health insurance company Anthem has introduced a policy discouraging patients from "avoidable" emergency room visits. Patients and doctors are pushing back against the program.

    One of the main principles behind purchasing health insurance is protection in the event of an emergency.

    But in the case of Anthem, the nation's second-largest insurer, policy holders may be denied coverage if the company considers their visit to the emergency room unnecessary.

    Under the health insurance company's "," Anthem can retroactively restrict or deny coverage if the company decides that the patient didn't actually have an emergency condition. For instance, if you

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