Illegal to not bill through insurance?

[u/MenuRare9880]

I just got insurance for the first time in 3 years. My treatment that cost me $190 cash (self-pay) is now $520 until I meet my $3,500 deductible which would take me 11 months, soo.. pointless.

I told my Dr’s office I am no longer going to go through my insurance & the billing lady said that’s illegal… I am going to look for a new Dr now anyway but is there truth to this? Would I face repercussions as an individual patient if I simply chose not to disclose that I have insurance & pay the cash price?

FYI: the self-pay price was NOT subsidized by a grant or aid.

[u/bzzyy]

If the office is in network with your insurance, their contract may require them to submit the bill to your insurance.

[u/Key_Employment4536 → u/bzzyy]

The contract with the doctors office cannot oversee override the federal privacy law