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When finding a provider to receive your health services, you've probably heard the terms "in-network" and "out-of-network" when it comes to your health plan. But what do these terms mean for a patient? And why should you be aware if a provider is out-of-network? What does it mean when a provider is "in-network" with a health plan? A provider is a person or facility that provides healthcare. When a provider is in-network it means there is a contractual agreement with that health plan regarding the rates for services. The provider will accept negotiated rates for services from the insurance. This means a patient will typically pay less for medical services received and is less likely to receive surprise bills. What does it mean when a provider is "out-of-network" with a health plan? Providers that are out-of-network are those that do not participate in that health plan's network. The provider is not contracted with the health insurance plan to accepted negotiated rates. This mean that patients will typically pay more or the full amount for the service they receive. Why should patients see in-network providers? Seeing an in-network provider for medical services can significantly reduce your medical expenses. Remember that in-network providers have a contractual agreement for negotiated rates with the health plan, so they cannot charge you more than that negotiated rate for a service. Seeing an in-network provider will always ensure any costs you do incur (copays or co-insurance) are applied to your health plan's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum (out-of-network costs don't apply to these amounts). To find the amounts you will pay for specific services, you can check your health insurance plan's Summary of Benefits. What is the best way to find which providers are in-network with a patient's health plan? Most health insurance companies offer multiple ways to find if a provider is in-network. To find the most accurate benefit information from your health plan, you can: Call their Customer Service department Check their website for their online provider directories If offered, check your online member portal.

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There are many misconceptions about clinical research, so we have unpacked a few common myths we hear to help you make an informed decision in your healthcare. Misconception #1: If I join a clinical trial, I’ll just be a guinea pig. Quite the opposite is true! Through honest and respectful conversation, we ensure all participants are informed of the benefits and risks associated with the clinical trial during the informed consent process. Being in a clinical trial is voluntary, and we respect our patients’ decision to join or decline to participate in the clinical trial. You can always change your mind at any time as well. When patients join a clinical trial, they receive an additional team of healthcare professionals, including additional physicians, pharmacists and research coordinators, dedicated to their safety and well-being. This means that clinical trial participants often receive more support than they would in the standard treatment setting. Misconception #2: Clinical trials are too dangerous because they use new treatments that haven’t been tested. We recognize that there are different levels of risk associated with participating in a clinical trial depending on the type of study. However, new treatments are only reviewed through clinical trials after they have gone through extensive testing. New treatments that do not show promising results for safety and potential benefit during laboratory testing do not receive approval to begin clinical trials. Your research team reviews any expected benefits and risks identified from previous studies during the informed consent process, as well as any updates that occur throughout the duration of the clinical trial. The research team stays in close contact with you during the entire process, documenting and treating any side effects that you experience for both your safety and the safety of participants like you. Misconception #3: I don't want to join a trial because I could be wasting my time receiving a placebo. A placebo is a substance that has no therapeutic effect, sometimes called a “sugar pill.” Participants who receive a placebo during a clinical trial are very important, helping researchers definitively determine the specific good and bad effects of the new medication. Many clinical trials that involve a placebo also offer what is called an open label extension or cross-over study. Cross-over studies ensure that anyone taking the placebo can begin receiving the new medication, often for several years. Cross-over studies help clinician researchers understand the long-term effects of a medication while also giving patients free access to novel care for several months and even years.

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