hospital billing

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'Medical cost-sharing' plan left this pastor on the hook for much of a $160,000 bill

Jeff and Kareen King received a hospital bill for $160,000 a few weeks after Jeff had a procedure to restore his heart rhythm. Bram Sable-Smith/KHN hide caption

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Bram Sable-Smith/KHN

Shots - Health News

'Medical cost-sharing' plan left this pastor on the hook for much of a $160,000 bill

January 9, 2023 • Instead of health insurance, the Rev. Jeff King had signed up for an alternative that left members of the plan to share the costs of health care. That meant lower premiums, but a huge hospital bill.

Investigation: Many U.S. hospitals sue patients for debts or threaten their credit

An investigation of more than 500 U.S. hospitals show that many use aggressive practices to collect on unpaid medical bills. More than two-thirds have policies that allow them to sue patients or take other legal actions against them, such as garnishing wages.This includes high-profile medical centers such as the Mayo Clinic. Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Investigation: Many U.S. hospitals sue patients for debts or threaten their credit

Kaiser Health News

December 21, 2022 • An examination of billing policies and practices at more than 500 hospitals across the country shows widespread reliance on aggressive collection tactics.