When a provider believes an insurer has reimbursed too little for care they have rendered to a patient, they often send a “balance bill” to the patient for the difference. These bills tend to be confusing and threatening. Many patients pay these bills without question.

The problem is that laws in 47 states and those governing Medicare prohibit providers from billing insured patients for even a nickel more than the plan-specified co-insurance or co-payments. If providers feel their reimbursement has been too low, these laws state that their recourse is with the insurance company, not the patient.

Economists cited in a Business Week expose on balance billing estimate that patients fork out at least $1 billion per year to cover bills for which they are not legally responsible.

If you think you are having a balance billing problem, remember that you are entitled to dispute any part of your bill. You can contact a billing investigator, the Better Business Bureau, or the Attorney General’s office in your state.

1. Google just released a new web browser called Chrome.
2. Chrome has a minimalist aesthetic reminiscent of Google’s search site.
3. Chrome facilitates the use of applications that run inside browsers. This way, people don’t have to rely on software that has been built into personal computers.
4. Currently, three browsers comprise 98% of the market: Internet Explorer (73%), Firefox (19%) and Safari (6%).
5. Google published a delightful comic book to explain its browser strategy and to describe some key features of Chrome.

NY Times tech writer David Pogue sees serious potential for Chrome.
WSJ tech writer Walt Mossberg sees a smart, innovative product that is not quite ready for prime time.
Venture capitalist Fred Wilson likes Google’s strategy.
TechCrunch finds that some Google aps don’t play nicely on Chrome.
Valleywag  and Gizmodo raise issues relating to Chrome’s license agreement.

In parrying with the media about his controversial VP pick, John McCain repeatedly claims that his vetting process was thorough. What does this tell us about McCain’s judgment? If his sole intent was to shake up the race for President, then the man is a genius.

The mommy blogs for example, have gone nuclear over the pick. It’s about time we let a breast-feeding mother decide whether to send troops into harm’s way! They appreciate what it means to lose a child.

Meanwhile, the media keeps digging up stuff on the mystery woman. She once got a speeding ticket! She might be a secessionist! She played hoops back in the day and had a nickname on the court, Sarah Barracuda!

When Palin tries to lock him down on defense, will the Big O still be able to hoist that Sweet Lefty J?

With the Sarah Palin tempest threatening to spin up to a Cat 5 at any moment, it is remarkable that Palin herself has gone underground. It’s been 48 hours since we last heard from her. Sarah Barracuda needs to step onto the court and start playing the game.