Category: Health Costs
Air Ambulances Woo Rural Consumers With Memberships That May Leave Them Hanging
While membership programs promise customers will avoid out-of-pocket expenses, in reality the contractual fine print “isn’t as cut and dry.”
‘UVA Has Ruined Us’: Health System Sues Thousands Of Patients, Seizing Paychecks And Claiming Homes
UVa sued patients for as much as $1 million and as little as $13.91, and garnished thousands of paychecks, largely from workers at lower-pay employers.
States Pass Record Number Of Laws To Reel In Drug Prices
Measures include authorizing importation drugs, screen for excessive price increases and establish boards to set the prices states will pay for drugs.
How To Get Bargain Dentistry And A Vacation To Boot
Facing the prospect of a pricey dental procedure in Maryland, writer Mike Salmon looked outside the country — and landed on getting five crowns in Costa Rica.
Shopping Abroad For Cheaper Medication? Here’s What You Need To Know
If you going to cross the border for your medications, here are two things to know. 1) It is technically illegal. 2) It is unlikely you will be prosecuted.
To Save Money, American Patients And Surgeons Meet In Cancun
US hospital costs are so high it makes sense for an orthopedic surgeon from Milwaukee and a patient from Mississippi to go to Mexican hospital for the surgery.
Infusion Treatments For Low Iron Can Deplete Patients’ Wallets
Physicians profit handsomely from infusions. And they are paid based on the prescribed drug’s average price giving them an incentive to pick the most expensive.
Watch: High Cost Of Insulin Sends Americans To Canada To Stock Up
The price of insulins has nearly doubled from 2012 to 2016, leaving some patients with no choice but to travel to Canada, where insulin can be 90% cheaper.
How To Get A Cheaper Prescription Before Leaving The Doctor’s Office
The pricing tool, embedded in physicians’ electronic health record, shows how much patients will pay out-of-pocket and allows the doctor to find a cheaper alternative.
The Nonprofit Hospital That Makes Millions, Owns a Collection Agency and Relentlessly Sues the Poor
In Memphis, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, a non-profit has brought 8,300 lawsuits for unpaid medical bills in just five years.
‘Medicare For All’ Emerges As Early Divide In First Democratic Debate
At the Democratic presidential debate health policies, ranging from “Medicare for All” to efforts to curb skyrocketing drug prices, were among the key issues
Price transparency: Fool’s gold?
One solution would be to require uniform prices by all providers to all purchasers.
Senate Panel Approves ‘Surprise Medical Bills’ Package
The bill touches nearly every aspect of the health care, from lowering prescription drug prices, to increasing vaccine rates and preventing youth tobacco use.
Trump Administration Seeks More Health Care Cost Details For Consumers
Hospitals and insurers would have to give estimates to patients on out-of-pocket costs before they go in for nonemergency medical care.
Surgery was covered, but monitoring service was not. Bill: $94,031
Most of the cost of the surgery was covered by her insurance. But more than $93,000 for out-of-network neuromonitoring services was not