NYT: They Want It to Be Secret: How a Common Blood Test Can Cost $11 or Almost $1,000
By Margot Sanger-Katz April 30, 2019 It’s one of the most common tests in medicine, and it is performed millions of times a year around the country. Should a metabolic blood panel test cost $11 or $952? Both of these are real, negotiated prices, paid by health insurance companies to laboratories in Jackson, Miss., and El […]
Axios: The silent affordability crisis facing sick people
The silent affordability crisis facing sick people – Drew Altman May 8, 2019 People with major medical illnesses are having serious problems paying for the health care they need — a crisis that is flying under the radar while attention is focused on hot policy issues like the Affordable Care Act and “Medicare for All.” […]
Vox: After Vox reporting, California moves forward on plan to end surprise ER bills
After Vox reporting, California moves forward on plan to end surprise ER bills – Sarah Kliff April 24, 2019 California is moving forward on a new law to end surprise emergency room bills like those that left one patient with a $20,000 treatment bill after a minor bike crash — legislation that was inspired by Vox’s reporting […]
NBC: Feds take down $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme in ‘Operation Brace Yourself’
Feds take down $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme in ‘Operation Brace Yourself’ – Adiel Kaplan, Jay Blackman, Tom Costello and Sarah Ploss April 9, 2019 Two dozen people, including doctors and owners of medical equipment companies, were charged in a more than $1 billion Medicare scam, authorities said Tuesday. Investigators uncovered the sprawling plot that […]
Modern Healthcare: Industry leaders share ideas, point fingers on limiting hospital prices
Industry leaders share ideas, point fingers on limiting hospital prices – Tara Bannow, April 13, 2019 Hospital executives love to brag about all the progress they’re making cutting unnecessary costs out of their operations. As a reporter covering hospital finances, I hear it all the time. So-and-so system managed to get $200 million or $300 […]
Axios: Doctor pay on the rise
Doctor pay on the rise – Axios, 4/10/19 Doctors’ salaries have increased 20% since 2015, according to a new Medscape report, outpacing pay among the general public. Why it matters: In the health care system, one person’s salary is another person’s premium, co-pay, deductible, taxes … you get the picture. Details: The gap between what male and […]
Gallup: The U.S. Healthcare Cost Crisis
The U.S. Healthcare Cost Crisis Gallup 2019 Every day, Americans are burdened by the strain and fear of ballooning healthcare costs. Yet despite the hardships many Americans endure, 64% say they are “completely” or “mostly” satisfied with their personal experience of the healthcare system. Additionally, one in four skipped a medical treatment because of cost, […]
Forbes: Hospital Pricing Practices, Transparency And Clarity Are Lacking
Hospital Pricing Practices, Transparency And Clarity Are Lacking Forbes 3/19/19 In 2019 what’s the biggest driver of healthcare cost growth? If you answered prescription drugs I can’t blame you, as that has been the media’s focus as well as the President, Congress, and presidential candidates. The truth is far more complex. To paraphrase President Trump, […]
Axios: Holy crap, air ambulances are expensive
Holy crap, air ambulances are expensive Axios 3/21/19 If you ever find yourself in a helicopter on the way to the hospital, chances are you’re in for a very big bill. The average cost for an air ambulance is over $36,000, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. And a whopping 69% of the emergency transports […]
NIHCM: How Much Diagnostic Imaging Is Inappropriate and What Does It Cost?
How Much Diagnostic Imaging Is Inappropriate and What Does It Cost? NIHCM 1/23/19 Overall utilization of diagnostic imaging procedures has been increasing rapidly in the U.S., and we now spend well over $100 billion on these procedures each year. At the same time, evidence is mounting that a nontrivial portion of this care is provided […]