Month: February 2022

We all know the saying, “You get what you pay for.” It applies to almost everything we buy. But with health care, that saying doesn’t always ring true. Most people who have had a serious illness or injury know that a heavy price tag doesn’t necessarily mean a good outcome. You can pay a hefty bill and still walk away without a diagnosis or an effective treatment. In part, that’s because traditionally, doctors get paid by the number of procedures … Continue reading “The three words every patient in the U.S. healthcare system should know”

Early last year, Chris Privett scheduled an MRI of his aching left shoulder, fully prepared to receive a hefty out-of-pocket bill, as he hadn’t met his annual health insurance deductible yet. The day after he marked that MRI on his calendar, he received a call from his health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), telling him he’d pay a lot less—$340 less, to be exact—if he got exactly the same procedure at another clinic. … Continue reading “How price shopping for health care can save you money (and how to do it)”