Is it legal for doctors to charge more non-insured patients?

Yes. Doctors can charge more for non-insured patients.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurance plans are required to cover a certain set of essential health benefits. Non-insured patients, however, are not covered by these requirements and may be charged more for the same services.

There are a number of reasons why doctors may choose to charge more for non-insured patients. One reason is that non-insured patients are not guaranteed to pay their bills, which can lead doctors to charge higher rates to account for this risk. Additionally, non-insured patients may be more likely to require additional services, such as financial counseling and coordination of care, which can also lead to higher charges.

In some cases, doctors may also choose to charge more for non-insured patients simply because they can. Non-insured patients may not be as aware of their rights or may be less likely to negotiate their bills, which can allow doctors to charge higher prices.