It is your right to see upfront prices in health care, but hospitals and insurance companies continue to keep us in the dark despite the law.
Friend,
With her first three pregnancies, Amanda Partee-Manders didn’t think twice when she received her hospital bills. She looked at the total and paid what she was asked.
But in October 2021, after giving birth via C-section to her youngest daughter, Partee-Manders took inspiration from a viral internet trend where users share their outrageous medical charges, and requested an itemized breakdown of her bill.
The detailed list of her charges, which totaled $47,091.01, shocked her.
Have you been stuck with a surprise medical bill? Share Your Story
Though she initially challenged it, she ended up paying her outstanding balance. A collection agency still claims it is unpaid.
This story is unfortunately a common one for Americans. The healthcare industry has become almost impossible for the average person to navigate.
Instead of being presented with information up front, patients are left in the dark and thousands of dollars in debt because the hospital can overcharge for even the smallest items such as a grocery bag to carry the patient’s clothing. Not to mention, getting an itemized from the hospital is like pulling teeth.
Despite federal law to disclose prices upfront for patients, hospitals and insurance companies continue a powerful secret campaign: price gouging patients.
Have you been stuck with a surprise medical bill? Share Your Story
The healthcare industry has morphed into a giant that is almost impossible to tame. Its reach keeps it shielded from compliance with any sort of price-tag guidelines. Though it is illegal not to disclose costs up front, a study done by the nonprofit Patient Rights Advocate found that only a quarter of hospitals have complied with the policy, claiming it’s “too expensive to implement.”
While hospitals save lives, they’re hurting patients’ financial conditions—especially those who are most vulnerable. The healthcare industry should be held accountable for their lack of transparency with patients.
Perhaps this story resonates with you, and you have had a similar experience—a medical procedure, surgery or unplanned hospital visit which left you with an unexpected and unreasonably high bill.
