Category: Health Costs
‘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
Churches Wipe Out Millions In Medical Debt For Others
RIP Medical Debt buys debt portfolios on a secondary market for pennies on the dollar. But instead of collecting the debt, RIP forgives it.
Plan would limit medical debt collections
A new Washington law reduces the maximum interest rate on medical debt prior to a court judgment from 12% to 9%.
Sens. Murray, Alexander release plan to lower health costs, end surprise bills
Bill would target nearly every area of health care, including surprise medical bills, prescription drugs, transparency, public health and health information.
Maine takes aim at high drug prices
Though many other states besides Maine are taking targeted actions to lower drug prices, few if any are seeking to tackle the issue in such a comprehensive way.
A Boat Crushed His Face, Then Plastic Surgeons Hit Him With $167,000 In Bills
One study found that plastic and maxillofacial surgeons billed their services out-of-network 23% of the time, more than any of the other 50 specialties analyzed.
Americans Overwhelmingly Want Federal Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
Three-quarters of the public, including a majority of Republicans, want the federal government to protect patients from being stuck with surprise medical bills.
State Laws Ban Surprise Medical Bills. She Got One for $227K And Fought Back.
“I wish I would have known. I would have said ‘no’ to life support,” said Debbie Moehnke, a former cocktail waitress. “We’ll lose everything.”
Americans Cross Border Into Mexico To Buy Insulin At A Fraction Of U.S. Cost
For one patient, a three-month supply of insulin is $3,700 in the U.S. versus $600 in Mexico. But is it legal?
Americans Ready To Crack Down On Drug Prices
By Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News Large majorities of Americans from both major parties support steps to control prescription drug costs such as showing prices in ads, removing barriers to generics and letting patients get less expensive drugs from Canada,…
Cancer’s Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls
By Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News Carol Marley wants everyone to know what a life-threatening cancer diagnosis looks like in America today. Yes, it’s the chemotherapy that leaves you weak and unable to walk across the room. Yes, it’s the…