Category: Health Costs
Voters Say Congress Needs To Curb Drug Prices, But Are Lawmakers Listening?
Nearly 8 in 10 Americans say the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable, with voters from both parties agreeing that cutting their cost is a top priority.
How Employer Stuck a New Mom With $898,984 Bill for Her Premature Baby
Her employer Dignity Health says its mission is to further “the healing ministry of Jesus.” It has assets of $6 billion and pays its CEO $11.9 million a year.
Went Overseas for School, Stayed for Insulin
In Seattle, she typically paid $70 per month for insulin and another $130 for pump supplies. In Germany, she pays roughly $11. Every three months.
Compression Garments Can Ease Lymphedema. Covering Costs? Not So Easy.
Lymphedema is incurable, but compression stockings, sleeves and gloves help prevent complications such as swelling and infection. But they’re expensive.
Readers And Tweeters respond to Kaiser Health News stories
Sickened By Billing Abuses, Readers And Tweeters Stand Up For Patients’ Rights
As Health Care Costs Rise, Workers At Low-Wage Firms May Pay A Larger Share
People at firms with more low-wage workers saw bigger deductibles and a larger share of their pay go to premiums than those at firms with fewer low-wage workers.
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.