bill of the month

Surprise bills happen when patients go to a hospital they think is in their insurance network but are seen by doctors or specialists who aren't.

Health & Safety

Congressional Panel: Consumers Shouldn't Have To Solve Surprise Medical Bill Problem

6:07pm April 02, 2019

by Rachel Bluth

Surprise billing is one of the rare public policy issues that are both bipartisan and in need of a federal solution. A hearing on Capitol Hill looked to insurers and providers to help figure it out.

After a sports injury, Esteban Serrano owed $829.41 for a knee brace purchased with insurance through his doctor's office. He says he found the same kind of brace selling for less than $250 online.

Soccer-Playing Engineer Calls Foul On Pricey Knee Brace

5:32pm March 26, 2019

by Paula Andalo

After a sports injury, Esteban Serrano owed $829.41 for a knee brace purchased with insurance through his doctor's office. The same kind of brace costs less than $250 online.

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The proposed legislation aims to reduce patients' costs by beefing up a Texas Department of Insurance program that scrutinizes surprise balance bills greater than $500 from any emergency health care provider.

Texas Sharpens Aim At Surprise Medical Bills In Bipartisan Proposal

8:24pm March 01, 2019

by Ashley Lopez

Legislation introduced in Texas this week would force the state's health care providers and health insurers to mediate payment disputes before they send bills to patients.

Jeannette Parker, an animal-loving biologist, stopped to feed a stray cat in a rural area outside Florida's Everglades National Park. Instead of showing appreciation, the cat bit her.

Health & Safety

Cat Bites The Hand That Feeds; Hospital Bills $48,512

10:31am February 26, 2019

by Julie Appleby

An animal lover stopped to feed a hungry-looking stray cat outside Everglades National Park in Florida. The cat bit her finger; then treatment for a possible rabies infection bit her pocketbook.

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First lady Melania Trump with 10-year-old Grace Eline, a guest of President Trump at the State of the Union address Tuesday. Grace was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. Trump cited her experience in calling for more research into childhood cancer tre

Trump Highlights Health Agenda And Vows To Lower 'Unfair' Drug Prices

1:09pm February 06, 2019

by Julie Rovner

The president's State of the Union address laid out a series of goals, including lowering prescription prices, pursuing an end to the HIV epidemic and increasing research for childhood cancers.

"There does seem to be across-the-board understanding that what's happening to patients right now isn't right or fair," Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said about surprise medical bills.

Health & Safety

Bipartisan Support Builds For Limits On Surprise Medical Bills

11:41am February 05, 2019

President Trump said that taming unexpected medical bills would be a top priority for his administration. The sentiment found support from many in Congress.

Matt Gleason fainted at work after getting a flu shot, so colleagues called 911 and an ambulance took him to the ER. Eight hours later, Gleason went home with a clean bill of health. Later still he got a hefty bill that wiped out his deductible.

Health & Safety

A Fainting Spell After A Flu Shot Leads To $4,692 ER Visit

8:51pm January 28, 2019

by Phil Galewitz

A 39-year-old man fainted after getting a flu shot at work, so his colleagues called 911. The man turned out to be fine, but the trip to the emergency room cost him his annual deductible.

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Dr. Paul Davis, whose daughter, Elizabeth Moreno, was billed $17,850 for a urine test and featured in KHN-NPR's Bill of the Month series, was among the guests invited to the White House on Wednesday to discuss surprise medical bills with President Trump.

Trump Seeks Action To Stop Surprise Medical Bills

3:40pm January 24, 2019

by Emmarie Huetteman

In a White House meeting with patients and doctors, President Trump directed his health secretary, Alex Azar, and labor secretary, Alex Acosta, to work on a solution for unexpected bills.

Sarah Witter had two operations to repair bones in her lower left leg after a skiing accident last February. The second surgery was needed to replace a stabilizing plate that broke.

Health & Safety

Bill Of The Month Update: Skier To Get $6,358 Refund After Surgery For Broken Leg

1:56pm December 24, 2018

by Jordan Rau

Ski buff Sarah Witter will get $6,358 back from her hospital and insurer after a review of her bill following the NPR-Kaiser Health News story about her case.

Sarah Witter fractured two bones in her lower left leg while skiing in Vermont last February. She had two operations to repair the damage. The second surgery was needed to replace a metal plate that broke after it was implanted.

Health & Safety

Bill Of The Month: $43,208 For Repeat Surgery To Replace Broken Medical Device

6:42pm December 18, 2018

by Jordan Rau

If implanted medical devices fail, patients and their insurers usually have to pay for repairs. That financial responsibility falls to them even when the problems were solely with the devices.

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