https://www.cbsnews.com/ Medical Price Roulette From CBSNews.com Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:07:08 -0400 5 https://www.cbsnews.com/video/man-is-relieved-of-1-7-million-medical-debt-while-others-still-fight-their-sky-high-bills/ An update on the story of Alexis Hernandez, who fought to survive after an explosion only to be hit with a $1.7 million medical debt for his treatment at a burn center in Brooke Army Medical center. While his debt was finally waived after the story and urgings of legislators, others with similar stories still face their huge medical bills. Anna Werner reports Fri, 23 Jul 2021 09:53:33 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/07/23/ed0d047c-84bb-4233-b474-f05fbc974020/thumbnail/60x60/f16444b197aa112d5651acf69fa9f488/0723-ctm-govtmedicalbill-werner-759324-640x360.jpg 884d373b-ca4b-4018-bf34-e0f96b2170c3 https://www.cbsnews.com/video/some-long-haulers-suffering-from-coronavirus-symptoms-now-face-financial-challenges/ Some long-haulers suffering from long-term coronavirus symptoms are now facing financial challenges as well. Anna Werner spoke with several people who faced challenges getting disability and health care coverage. Tue, 29 Jun 2021 12:29:02 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/06/29/d2fe6aac-12b3-49f3-b038-354956fc65ad/thumbnail/60x60/a8a4f4e27efaa53f3712724bfb6e0680/0629-ctm-longcovid-werner-743494-640x360.jpg c9941368-12ba-40f1-824c-d81e1d2f3ad5 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cologuard-unexpected-bill-colon-cancer-screening-2000-dollars/ "I am mad because I pay so much every month for this insurance," on Cologuard user told CBS News. "I just feel like I'm really getting raked over." Tue, 29 Jun 2021 07:32:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/06/28/5456d759-3550-4367-b8da-280d135a7a01/thumbnail/60x60/02a3249e1baf4716e2ade4ea7a323e13/1624883226391.png bad3a7fb-8a49-42b3-8d08-342e11577cb1 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-citizen-bill-government-burn-treatment-alexis-hernandez/ "I never expected, never in my life to live through something like this," Alexis Hernandez told CBS News' Anna Werner. Wed, 07 Apr 2021 08:04:00 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/04/07/d830cdce-eb14-4086-97f7-451f1f5b406d/thumbnail/60x60/71ad023de51abd1af70b6f3457274ef2/1617796747527-1.png 0e41bca7-8056-493b-83cb-0dc0816a3e7c https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wisconsin-epic-systems-employees-return-to-office/ Epic Systems, a medical records software company, "is going to have to adhere by the same rules as everyone else," a local official said. Mon, 10 Aug 2020 09:30:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2020/08/10/003503b7-af4f-4777-a252-d59467f957a5/thumbnail/60x60/af9374a671ffaf88d8dd0a7031815e08/cbsn-fusion-epic-systems-delays-return-to-in-person-work-amid-pressure-from-employees-public-health-officials-thumbnail-527545-640x360.jpg f6cbfe52-6828-4d28-8647-4214f09a032f https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-test-should-be-free-covid-medical-bills/ People returning to their jobs could wind up having to pay for COVID-19 tests, experts warn. Fri, 10 Jul 2020 13:42:00 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2020/07/10/a8b09747-e891-4f83-af7c-7da351b21286/thumbnail/60x60/5e8335668662331a3bc60b4f7aa6da4f/1594388183620.png 5907a07a-75d8-45e2-80bc-7141368c4d59 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-test-cost-hospital-bill-insurance-daniel-newman/ Congress passed a law making coronavirus tests free, but all costs may not be covered by all insurers. Tue, 31 Mar 2020 10:26:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2020/03/31/62ff0120-696f-4247-8649-92eeca494254/thumbnail/60x60/16b78170a58ebef791c14564baebefb6/cbsn-fusion-hospital-bill-after-coronavirus-test-infuriates-actor-daniel-newman-thumbnail-464061-640x360.jpg 60a234d0-fd56-43e7-a371-4a5ef0250c77 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/health-care-costs-alabama-hospital-sues-patient-to-collect-medical-debt-after-appendectomy/ KC and Daryl Roberts were paying what they could each month toward the more than $30,000 hospital bill. Thu, 20 Feb 2020 09:53:57 -0500 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2020/02/20/585a9a26-511b-476a-8667-90c7b26021aa/thumbnail/60x60/65414ad958b007d70c1a8f5c81640cf3/0220-ctm-mprhospitallawsuit-werner-2031028-640x360.jpg 2d66104c-db1a-4701-9f92-41913ed9b776 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breast-cancer-survivor-fights-with-insurance-company-over-annual-diagnostic-mammograms/ Mammograms can save lives, but in some cases, insurance companies are refusing to cover follow-up tests ordered by doctors. Wed, 04 Dec 2019 07:36:00 -0500 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/12/04/2bc3687b-5450-4393-97ab-de7d721e8960/thumbnail/60x60/039f4ad024637880bd4a80c9717b69de/ctm-1204-mammogram.jpg bc78697d-9598-4697-8833-c767e8f24cc0 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cost-of-mammograms-preventative-breast-exams-leave-women-with-unexpected-bills/ Health insurance covers mammograms every one to two years, but many women often need secondary tests that aren't covered Thu, 31 Oct 2019 07:43:00 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/10/31/79f8896f-06d1-4ac1-be72-fc5e32a67113/thumbnail/60x60/3d6d16a6309c105a4dc669882b908ee9/ctm-1031-mammograms.jpg 7b8ce497-4201-48aa-b4fe-34f7fecf1c32 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-drives-five-hours-for-surgery-insurance-wont-cover-hernia-surgery-central-texas-2019-10-11/ Around the country, middle-class Americans with high-deductible insurance plans are heading to dozens of cash-based surgery centers Fri, 11 Oct 2019 18:45:00 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/10/11/cf55c880-b015-4d6f-99fc-52dea89cb4d4/thumbnail/60x60/79534575da7295120f1c2b48e3b746bb/1011-en-medicalroulette-werner-g2.jpg c5dc84e7-d63e-496d-977b-d2b4562ba3d9 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/after-back-surgery-and-cbs-news-report-on-mans-surprise-medical-bill-new-york-regulators-wants-to-change-law/ "After hearing about — and resolving — a recent issue, we know that if it could happen to one consumer, it could happen to others" Thu, 10 Oct 2019 14:57:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/09/20/4ab7ceff-b9f9-4bd4-89e9-8f34f257172c/thumbnail/60x60/a98bfe8a38b2ba6b1b992688de39528c/frank-and-anna.jpg 47f081c6-e6ff-49e7-8c1c-9b4bbde0c919 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/even-with-insurance-woman-stuck-with-40000-medical-bill/ When Molly McKenna went to a clinic in agonizing pain, doctors told her it was an emergency. Only later did she learn much of her treatment was out-of-network Tue, 01 Oct 2019 20:22:00 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/10/01/fa2165fa-cb33-4b5e-9e62-4500a8df6b56/thumbnail/60x60/b11273724585e319faae064cdea7e1bb/werner-medical-price-roulette-mckenna-intv-tx-rem305-01-frame-87940.jpg 58a33063-706b-4c04-8cac-8c0bdeeefc26 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-find-out-health-care-costs-in-advance/ How much will that cost? Why did that cost so much? Always ask. Take notes, take names, take numbers Fri, 27 Sep 2019 12:49:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/16/f320357e-df33-4a40-a782-cf73c6c3bdde/thumbnail/60x60/92ae53499a82da3e1165fdcd34c40705/gettyimages-924677434-copy.jpg 7aec69c2-08a3-4182-b81b-23b2da0f8838 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-hit-with-650000-in-medical-bills-gets-relief-after-cbs-news-story-2019-09-25/ Frank Esposito was hit with $650,000 in medical bills after his insurance company said his surgery didn't qualify as an emergency Wed, 25 Sep 2019 18:51:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/09/20/4ab7ceff-b9f9-4bd4-89e9-8f34f257172c/thumbnail/60x60/a98bfe8a38b2ba6b1b992688de39528c/frank-and-anna.jpg aac7a9b4-004b-462a-8db2-a69711a493a0 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/medical-bills-jump-from-220-to-4000-a-month-for-a-treatment-her-life-depends-on/ "I was like, how is this even possible?" one patient said of the unpredictable charges Wed, 25 Sep 2019 07:59:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/09/25/b0c1862d-10ad-4ebd-8d1b-a6d42d34eced/thumbnail/60x60/c432d830d04e68c036e2d3fe36a3f7d4/0925-ctm-medmoneyroulette-werner-1940250-640x360.jpg 7bf3a6a5-41a9-4bb7-afc8-15d966c4ab3c https://www.cbsnews.com/news/medical-bills-after-her-miscarriage-she-received-two-rounds-of-ultrasounds-why-did-one-cost-10-times-more/ Medical prices vary greatly, even within the same city. "It's either unethical or dishonest," said one patient hit with a surprise bill Tue, 24 Sep 2019 07:36:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/09/24/f226ce8b-d8b8-422f-b7ea-963921b88692/thumbnail/60x60/386ea3c80236a7a57a7e31c414333b42/miriam-2.jpg 47596225-1bcd-4727-b1d2-999f4fb29d10 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ways-to-save-on-health-care-costs-clear-health-costs/ ClearHealthCosts offers some practical tips to help you beat back your health care costs Mon, 23 Sep 2019 16:54:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/16/9f0da299-7608-4814-a191-7b8181b433f5/thumbnail/60x60/8ecacb6c72ec5671a78af72d5d3fa55d/gettyimages-700841888.jpg 96974efd-2288-41f5-a5af-b55ff6901d59 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-read-a-medical-bill-or-explanation-of-benefits-clear-health-costs/ An insurance company's "explanation of benefits" often confuses matters more Mon, 23 Sep 2019 12:26:00 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/09/23/1befb1a3-6b50-45a6-850c-2441f9f7e0a6/thumbnail/60x60/fb9947c95c6aedb22c61d21c2f323709/gettyimages-175506206.jpg f50dfdbb-573d-41b2-a6e5-3b628bc8230c https://www.cbsnews.com/news/back-surgery-saved-him-from-paralysis-then-the-bills-arrived-over-650000/ Frank Esposito, a tool and die maker from Long Island, New York, drained $49,000 from his retirement account and still owes over $220,000 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 06:31:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/09/20/d795ae44-b840-411d-95ce-5dcdf9e2b644/thumbnail/60x60/ef697b3f80a88e3a7114d69683c39a3a/frank-1.jpg b40cbcdc-31ae-4a1c-a96c-75fecd9baca8 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/medical-price-roulette-share-search-health-care-costs/ How you can help CBS News and ClearHealthCosts bring more transparency to health care prices Mon, 23 Sep 2019 06:29:00 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/09/23/f9113a6b-41ba-4c25-a08b-4e516025dcbb/thumbnail/60x60/937f74ef77a0305e4fc7609ee7f3e1c6/medical-price-roulette-door-hero.jpg 92137a9d-9cb5-4a5f-9a94-cc4b30c563d6 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appealing-a-health-insurance-claim-denial-or-how-to-turn-no-into-yes-clear-health-costs/ If your insurance company denied a treatment or a medication in advance, and you want help, here's where to start Mon, 23 Sep 2019 06:28:00 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/16/0275a585-2b39-4e13-a618-d8cda60bb6f5/thumbnail/60x60/8c0726492bb0cc86db79bcf37649e232/gettyimages-966244680.jpg d4719fe9-eb63-4eb1-a4b0-4c049a8ee441 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/10-steps-for-appealing-a-medical-claim-or-bill-clear-health-costs/ So you got a huge bill, and you're sure there's been a mistake. Here's a step-by-step course of action Mon, 23 Sep 2019 06:28:00 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2015/08/28/a3ad7e68-7ea9-49e9-afbe-6022f362c8d9/thumbnail/60x60/347633d1a660ad20386f0ed3854d107b/istock000050553446medium.jpg f0230ddd-52b0-4b20-a409-c931787382b9 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/medical-price-roulette-cbs-news-investigates-the-lack-of-transparency-in-americas-health-care-system/ "Nothing about the United States' health care system really makes sense," one doctor said Fri, 20 Sep 2019 10:10:00 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/09/20/794f57e0-5d65-48d6-98df-d432628117d7/thumbnail/60x60/1526823451144ae489888aadb57c8550/medical-graphic-promo-main.png d4b43f17-d7ea-4edd-ad71-dad9131dce3a