On the last full day of a Bahamas excursion, Vincent Wasney had three epileptic seizures. While being evacuated, he received a bill for expenses incurred during the cruise. Kristen Norman for KFF Health News hide caption
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She paid her husband's hospital bill. A year after his death, they wanted more money
KFF Health News
She paid her husband's hospital bill. A year after his death, they wanted more money
When Kristie Fields was undergoing treatment for breast cancer nine years ago, a nurse suggested she go on the local news and ask for help with her medical bills. Fields says she and her husband quickly dismissed the idea. Sonja Foster/KFF Health News hide caption
'We're not doing that': A Black couple won't crowdfund to pay medical debt
In 2013, Grace E. Elliott spent a night in a hospital in Florida for a kidney infection that was treated with antibiotics. Eight years later, she got a large bill from the health system that bought the hospital. This bill was for an unrelated surgical procedure she didn't need and never received. It was a case of mistaken identity, she knew, but proving that wasn't easy. Shelby Knowles for KHN hide caption
Insurers are complying with federal rules aimed at price transparency that took effect July 1, but consumer use of the data may have to wait until private firms synthesize it. DNY59/Getty Images hide caption
The new rules will help people get upfront cost estimates for about 500 so-called "shoppable" services, meaning medical care they can schedule ahead of time. DNY59/Getty Images hide caption
Sick and struggling to pay, 100 million people in the U.S. live with medical debt
A Google search for Obamacare plans can direct consumers to a series of "lead-generating" websites: nongovernmental webpages that connect insurance brokers to consumers. Getty Images hide caption
Claudia and Jesús Fierro of Yuma, Ariz., review their medical bills. They pay $1,000 a month for health insurance yet still owed more than $7,000 after two episodes of care at the local hospital. Lisa Hornak for Kaiser Health News hide caption
Hit with $7,146 for two hospital bills, a family sought health care in Mexico
Suzanne and Jim Rybak, inside the craft room where their son, Jameson, would encourage Suzanne to make colorful beach bags, received a $4,928 medical bill months after it was supposedly resolved. By Gavin McIntyre/Kaiser Health News hide caption
Ely Bair had two medically necessary jaw surgeries. For the first, in 2018, his share of the bill was $3,000. For the second, in 2019 after a job change, he was billed $27,000, even though he had the same insurance carrier. Jovelle Tamayo for Kaiser Health News hide caption
Same Hospital And Insurer, But The Bill For His 2nd Jaw Procedure Was $24,000 More
Vanderbilt University Medical Center bought the hospital in Lebanon, Tenn., from Community Health Systems in 2019, but the latter is still suing former patients over unpaid medical bills. Blake Farmer/WPLN hide caption
A Health Care Giant Sold Off Dozens Of Hospitals — But Continued Suing Many Patients
KFF Health News
A Health Care Giant Sold Off Dozens Of Hospitals — But Continued Suing Many Patients
Jameson Rybak, son of Jim and Suzanne Rybak of Florence, S.C., struggled with opioid addiction and died of an overdose on June 9, 2020 — three months after he left a hospital ER because he feared he couldn't afford treatment. Gavin McIntyre/Kaiser Health News hide caption
Truck driver José Mendoza has a Humana HMO plan through his employer. It has a $5,000 deductible and 50% coinsurance, leaving him financially vulnerable. Bryan Cereijo for KHN hide caption
A $10,322 Tab For A Sleep Apnea Study Is Enough To Wreck One Patient's Rest
The nearly 5,600-page legislative package that Congress passed in December includes new laws regarding aid to rural hospitals, funds for training more physicians, modest improvements in mental health care parity, and medical bill transparency. Trevor Carpenter/Getty Images hide caption
Once the rules for implementing it are worked out, a bill signed into federal law in December will eliminate the required five-month waiting period for diagnosed ALS patients to begin disability benefits, enabling quicker Medicare coverage as well. LumiNola/Getty Images hide caption
Adam Woodrum and his son, Robert, get ready for a bike ride near their home in Carson City, Nev., this month. During the summer, Robert had a bike accident that resulted in a hefty bill from the family's insurer. Maggie Starbard for KHN hide caption
When Tiffany Qiu found herself on the hook for her usual 30% Blue Shield of California coinsurance after the hospital quoted 20%, she pushed back. Shelby Knowles for KHN hide caption
Hit With An Unexpectedly High Medical Bill, Here's How A Savvy Patient Fought Back
When Angela Settles' husband, Darius, got sick with COVID-19, he was worried about medical bills. He worked two jobs but had no health insurance. Blake Farmer/WPLN News hide caption
Hospital Bills For Uninsured COVID-19 Patients Are Covered, But No One Tells Them
Matthew Fentress was diagnosed with heart disease that developed after a bout of the flu in 2014. His condition worsened three years later, and he had to declare bankruptcy when he couldn't afford his medical bills, despite having insurance. Meg Vogel for KHN hide caption
Heart Disease Bankrupted Him Once. Now He Faces Another $10,000 Medical Bill
Texas will soon enact a law to prevent patients from getting hit with surprise medical bills. seksan Mongkhonkhamsao/Getty Images hide caption
Jennifer Brooks, who had repeatedly visited the emergency room at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, was sued by Southeastern Emergency Physicians for $8,500 in unpaid medical bills. Andrea Morales/MLK50 hide caption
Keith Meehan is one of an estimated 1 million Americans who get health care coverage through a health care sharing ministry. After Meehan's back surgery, Aliera and Trinity HealthShare declined to pay approximately $200,000 in medical bills, saying back pain was a preexisting condition. Todd Bookman/NHPR hide caption
Regulators Allege Christian-Based Health Care Provider Broke State, Federal Rules
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, along with 1,500 self-funded health plans, sued Sutter Health for antitrust violations. The closely watched case, which many expected to set precedents nationwide, ended in a settlement Wednesday. Above, Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. Rich Pedroncelli/AP hide caption