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News Articles: high medical bills

An investigation of more than 500 U.S. hospitals show that many use aggressive practices to collect on unpaid medical bills. More than two-thirds have policies that allow them to sue patients or take other legal actions against them, such as garnishing wages.This includes high-profile medical centers such as the Mayo Clinic.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

Investigation: Many U.S. hospitals sue patients for debts or threaten their credit

An examination of billing policies and practices at more than 500 hospitals across the country shows widespread reliance on aggressive collection tactics.

December 21, 2022
|
By:
  • Noam Levey
Bennett Markow looks to his big brother, Eli (right), during a family visit at UC Davis Children's Hospital in Sacramento. Bennett was born four months early, in November 2020.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

The heartbreak and cost of losing a baby in America

Even after their babies died, hospital bills kept coming. These parents of fragile, very sick infants faced exorbitant bills — though they had insurance. "The process was just so heartless," one says.

September 22, 2022
|
By:
  • Lauren Weber
Jeni Rae Peters and daughter embrace at their home in Rapid City, S.D. In 2020, Peters was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. After treatment, Peters estimates that her medical bills exceeded $30,000.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

She was already battling cancer. Then she had to fight the bill collectors

For one South Dakota mom, cancer treatment saved her life, but left her $30,000 in debt. The cost of care in the U.S. can make patients drain savings, declare bankruptcy, or lose their homes.

July 09, 2022
|
By:
  • Noam Levey
Danilo Manimtim and his wife, Marilou, had identical cataract surgeries, but the charges were drastically different — even though the Fresno, California, couple were covered by the same health plan.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

He and his wife both got cataract surgery. His bill was 20 times higher than hers

Whether a simple operation is performed under the auspices of a hospital or at an independent surgery center can make a huge difference in cost.

June 27, 2022
|
By:
  • Angela Hart / Kaiser Health News

Tagged as: 

  • Medical Treatments

Even when IVF is covered by insurance, high bills, surprises and hassles abound

Only 15 states require insurance to cover in vitro fertilization, a pricey path to parenthood. But expensive procedures and drugs can lead to unexpected bills even for the fortunate who are insured.

May 04, 2022
|
By:
  • Phil Galewitz
Baby Dorian Bennett arrived two months early and needed neonatal intensive care. Despite having insurance, mom Bisi Bennett and her husband faced a bill of more than $550,000 and were offered an installment payment plan of $45,843 per month for 12 months.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

A hospital offered a payment plan for baby's NICU stay — $45,843 a month for a year

After baby Dorian Bennett arrived two months early and spent more than 50 days in the neonatal ICU, his parents received a bill of more than $550,000 — despite having health insurance.

December 22, 2021
|
By:
  • Victoria Knight

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