In a married couple where each spouse has group insurance through their employer, which insurance is typically used as primary for a patient's appointment?

In situations where both spouses have group insurance through their employers, the common practice is that the insurance plan of the patient themselves is considered primary. This means that when a patient goes for an appointment, their own health insurance plan will be charged first for any medical services received. This approach is governed by the coordination of benefits rules, which helps to determine which insurance pays first when multiple policies exist.

The reasoning behind prioritizing the patient’s own insurance over that of the spouse is to streamline the claims process and to ensure that each individual is covered by their unique insurance policy. In most cases, insurance policies specify that the individual covered under the plan is the one whose insurance should be billed first. This can simplify billing practices and minimizes potential complications in payment between multiple insurers.

Overall, utilizing the patient's insurance as primary helps ensure that they receive the benefits provided by their own policy, optimizing the coverage they are entitled to under their specific health plan.