Several recent studies have concluded that millions of hospital patients are faced with surprise bills, often for similar reasons to my mother’s. Of 5.5 million inpatient visits, surprise bill percentages increased from 26.3 to 42 percent, with the average out-of-network bill rising from $804 to $2,040. Public opinion is clear on the topic: According to multiple surveys, a clear majority want surprise bills to end. Her health insurance company pointed me to the provider, while the provider sent me back to the health insurance company. The waters got even muddier when the insurance company tried to slough me off on an affiliated company that processed claims.

Source: Washington Post November 16, 2019 17:00 UTC