And don’t forget to ask for the check.
Friend,
Surprises should bring us happiness, not helplessness.

Health care is one of the largest sectors of our economy, yet it is the least transparent. Nearly 60% of Americans report having received a surprise medical bill, and one in six Americans has a past-due medical bill on their credit report.

After more than TWO YEARS of federal healthcare price transparency rules being in effect, hospitals and insurance companies continue to keep patients in the dark — hiding crucial pricing information on medical procedures and other shoppable services.

According to a compliance report conducted by Patient Rights Advocate, a whopping three quarters of hospitals are still NOT compliant with the federal law, which requires them to publicly post information about standard prices and negotiated discount rates for consumers upfront so patients can compare prices and shop for care.

Time after time, hospitals and insurance companies get away with negotiating prices behind closed doors and issuing jaw-dropping surprise medical bills. Have you gotten a surprise medical bill? Have you had trouble paying it off? We want to hear from you.
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Friend, if your answer is yes to either question above, you’re not alone. Nearly 60% of people report receiving a medical bill they weren’t expecting.

And IWF members are no exception to this statistic. Over the past several months, we have heard from those who have fallen victim — stories detailing the shock and horror and some desperate for intervention.

It’s bewildering to read the things hospitals and doctor’s offices will do and get off scot-free. Take single mother Anna Anthony’s story:

“The eye doctor waited ([link removed]) until I was dilated and completely unable to see to hand me a paper — that I couldn’t read — with my charges for the day.”

Anthony is now forced to skip meals while she pays off the bill where she was charged roughly 200% above the average cost.
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Most people would never make a major purchase without knowing how much something is going to cost upfront. Prices in health care should work the same way, and transparency is required by law. We can get the price transparency we deserve if we band together and use our voices to tell hospitals and insurance companies that we are not okay with their veil of secrecy. It all starts with a story.

Have you been blindsided and ripped off by the American healthcare system? We want to hear from you.
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Sincerely,
Andrea Mew

P.s. If you want to further explore this issue, visit patientrightsadvocate.org ([link removed]) .
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