For Her Head Cold, Insurer Coughed Up $25,865
A New York woman worried that her sore throat might be strep, so she went to the doctor to have it checked out. Then came the bill — with a price tag similar to a small SUV.
bill of the month
Nothing To Sneeze At: $2,659 Bill To Pluck Doll's Shoe From Girl's Nose
A young girl put matching doll shoes up her nose. One came out easily. The second required a trip to the hospital emergency department and led to a bill that isn't child's play.
A Biopsy Came With An Unexpected $2,170 'Cover Charge' For The Hospital
After a test to rule out cancer, Brianna Snitchler faced a facility fee for use of the hospital's radiology room. She wasn't told in advance about the charge, which strained her tight budget.
Bill Of The Month: Estimate For Cost Of Hernia Surgery Misses The Mark
Patients are often told to be smart consumers and shop around for health care before they use it. But even when you do so, estimates from insurers, hospitals and doctors can be unreliable.
Dialysis Firm Cancels $524,600.17 Medical Bill After Journalists Investigate
This week, NPR profiled a Montana man who was billed nearly half a million dollars for 14 weeks of dialysis, after being caught in a dispute between insurer and the dialysis provider. Now he owes $0.
First Came Kidney Failure. Then There Was The $540,842 Bill For Dialysis
A personal trainer in Montana had a sudden need for lifesaving dialysis after his kidneys failed. But he and his wife never expected the huge bill they received for 14 weeks of care.
Texas Is Latest State To Attack Surprise Medical Bills
A new Texas law says hospitals and insurers will have to work it out when they can't agree on a price — instead of sending huge unexpected bills to patients.
A Year After Spinal Surgery, A $94,000 Bill Feels Like A Backbreaker
A service called neuromonitoring can cut the risk of nerve damage during delicate surgery. But some patients are receiving large bills they didn't expect.
Bill Of The Month: $4,836 Charge For Laughing Gas During Childbirth Is No Joke
Nitrous oxide is making a comeback for pain relief during childbirth. But charges for the option vary from free at some hospitals to thousands of dollars at others.
Trump Throws Support Behind Fix For Surprise Medical Bills, But Hurdles Remain
A bipartisan group of senators has been working on a plan to protect patients from unexpected medical bills. Disagreements within the health care industry could thwart those efforts.