Category: Bill Of The Month

Your Go-To Guide To Decode Medical Bills

Kaiser Health News gives you a user-friendly toolkit to help patients understand some of the ins and outs of medical billing, what to do if you receive a surprise medical bill and things to keep in mind before getting medical care.

First Kidney Failure, Then A $540,842 Bill For Dialysis

He needed the lifesaving treatment — he never expected a half-million-dollar bill for 14 weeks of care.

Texas Is Latest State To Attack Surprise Medical Bills

A new state law says hospitals and insurers will have to work it out among themselves when they can’t agree on a price — instead of sending huge bills to patients. “Bill of the Month” patient Drew Calver galvanized attention on the issue after he told his story to KHN, NPR and “CBS This Morning.”

A Year After Spinal Surgery, A $94,031 Bill Feels Like A Back-Breaker

A service called neuromonitoring can cut the risk of nerve damage during delicate surgery. But some patients are receiving unexpected and large bills for the service.

Not Funny: Midwife Slapped With $4,836 Bill For Laughing Gas During Her Labor

As nitrous oxide makes a comeback for pain relief during childbirth, one medical professional fights back over an overblown charge for using it.

Summer Bummer: A Young Camper’s $142,938 Snakebite

The snake struck a 9-year-old hiker at dusk on a nature trail. The outrageous bills struck her parents a few weeks later.

Summer Bummer: A Young Camper’s $142,938 Snakebite

The snake struck a 9-year-old hiker at dusk on a nature trail. The outrageous bills struck her parents a few weeks later.

Texas Lawmakers Take Aim At Surprise Medical Bills

A bill with bipartisan, bicameral support is on the move in Texas. It would force hospitals and insurers to settle surprise bills — instead of relying on patients to start the mediation process. The KHN/NPR “Bill of the Month” series is a catalyst for the effort.

Cancer’s Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

Carol Marley has pancreatic cancer — and dealing with its financial toll has become her full-time job.

Texans Can Appeal Surprise Medical Bills, But The Process Can Be Draining

In Texas, many people have a right to mediation of medical bills. But the concept can be off-putting, and patients often think they need a lawyer, which isn’t the case.