LISTEN – Hidden Charges: Small Items with Big Costs

Hidden Charges: Small Items with Big Costs

About the Episode:

When Tracie Ennis broke her ankle in 2017, an ambulance rushed to her aid. In the back of the ambulance, they used a seemingly innocuous item: a small pillow, worth only a few cents. They tore it open to secure her injured ankle. That little pillow, however, carried a hefty price tag of about $150.

Adding to the shock, they opened an IV with pain medication during the ambulance ride. Due to road conditions, they couldn’t administer it, but it didn’t stop her from being charged nearly $200 for it. Later, when the bill arrived, it included expected expenses, such as her hospital stay and in-hospital medications. However, the charges for those seemingly insignificant items from the ambulance were the most surprising.

Tracie, like many others, attempted to dispute these charges, but the system left her feeling defeated. She took the financial hit because she had no other recourse. Her story highlights the often astronomical costs of small, easily overlooked items in the complex world of healthcare.

There are many reasons behind these hidden healthcare costs, particularly the facility fees. Salaries for medical staff, administrative expenses, and the overutilization of emergency rooms are among the factors contributing to inflated bills. However, there is hope on the horizon. The No Surprises Act, which came into effect in 2022, restricts surprise billing for insured patients who receive care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities.

Organizations like Dollar For are also stepping in to help patients navigate the intricacies of medical billing, particularly with Charity Care programs. While the healthcare system’s business aspect remains, efforts are being made to ease the financial burden on patients.

Tracie’s story serves as a lesson and a call for change in a healthcare system where even the smallest items can lead to exorbitant bills.