Erik Filkorn, a town selectman in Vermont who appeared on a Planet Money podcast in February, writes:

I had an interesting experience with a hospital recently. I got a bill for $8,000 for some surgeries for my son. I waited a month to see if Blue Cross would take a bite out of it. They didn't. Then my wife lost her job and waiting another month seemed prudent or necessary anyway.
Finally, I called them and asked if I could divide the payments over two months and they said, "Yes, but if you can pay today, I can take 30% off." Needless to say, I went for it.
Next day, I decided to see if the anesthesiologists would be similarly sympathetic. No such luck.

categories: Letters

3:31 - October 19, 2009

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