bcbs

Chantal Panozzo and her husband, who live in the Chicago suburbs, expected their first routine colonoscopies would be free — fully covered by insurance as preventive care under federal law.

Health & Safety

The colonoscopies were free but the 'surgical trays' came with $600 price tags

6:59am January 25, 2024

Health providers may bill however they choose, including in ways that could leave patients with unexpected bills for "free" care. Preventive care left an Illinois couple with "surgical tray" charges.

When she was pregnant with her twins, Sara Walsh was diagnosed with a serious complication and had to pay thousands upfront before a specialist would see her.

Health & Safety

She was pregnant and had to find $15,000 overnight to save her twins

4:41pm April 27, 2023

by Renuka Rayasam

Doctors rushed a pregnant woman to a surgeon who charged thousands upfront just to see her. The case reveals a gap in medical billing protections for those with rare, specialized conditions.