Hospitals often say that their doors are “always open — regardless of your ability to pay.” But that statement doesn’t always match reality.
How many times have you seen a physician or had a medical procedure and known exactly how much it would cost? If you have traditional insurance, you might know that your costs for treatments can differ based on your plan. But did you know hospitals can also set their own rates, charges, and prices? The same procedure can cost five (or even ten!) times the amount at a different facility.
That’s why, when you have traditional insurance, the final amount for a visit or procedure usually comes on a bill that arrives weeks later, costs more than you anticipated, and must be paid sooner than you expected. And if you can’t pay your medical bills, there’s nothing preventing a hospital from suing you.
Predatory Billing
You may be wondering if hospitals actually take their patients to court over medical debt. Yes, they do. It’s called predatory billing. Here’s some quick facts:
- 26 of the 100 largest hospitals in the USA (based on revenue) took patients to court over unpaid medical bills.
- Of those 100 hospitals, 57 charged patients more than five times the average cost of the care they provided, and 9 charged patients more than 10 times the average cost. That means the hospitals were accruing large profits and still sued patients over unpaid bills.
- Predatory billing accounts for 58% of all debt collections in America.
You might think that these lawsuits are over bills that are tens of thousands of dollars. However, the average amount owed in these cases was only $1,842.
What happens if you’re sued? You might end up dealing with court-ordered wage garnishments or even have claims on your personal property to pay back what you owe.
Too many people with traditional health insurance believe it will protect them from medical debt, only to find themselves facing a financial crisis when they seek care. Thankfully, Health Access Solutions gives you a better solution.
Transparent Billing
Health Access Solutions is designed to help you save money on medical bills so that you can have more financial freedom. Here’s how:
- Your primary care provider will help you navigate the healthcare system effectively and hopefully avoid the hospital altogether. Don’t forget that Health Access Benefit members can immediately see their primary care provider!
- With your Health Access Benefit, you’re in charge of your health care. You don’t have to wait months for insurance approvals, which helps keep you healthier and your costs down.
- As a cash pay patient, you will know exactly how much everything costs upfront. There are no middlemen, no surprise charges, and no insurance company will be involved—which allows you to get the lowest possible rates.
We’re here to help you and your family stay healthy with top-notch healthcare at affordable prices. Curious how this works for real people? Learn how this soccer family saved money and received better care thanks to the benefits of Health Access Solutions!