New York Patient Saves Thousands by Shopping for Care

Cynthia Rivera, a patient from upstate New York, tells her story in the Syracuse Post-Standard of saving thousands of dollars by shopping for healthcare. She highlights how empowered patients don’t need to “wait on Washington” to address the healthcare cost crisis. They can leverage the price transparency rule that took effect at the beginning of the year requiring hospitals to post their real prices to identify the best care at the best prices. Cynthia writes:

I know the benefits of real healthcare prices firsthand. I’ve saved approximately $2,000 this year by shopping for just two common procedures. I’ve also learned the hard way how the healthcare status quo, which blinds patients from prices until after their bills arrive, financially devastates ordinary Americans.

Last fall, my doctor diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis and prescribed physical therapy. I was nervous about the price, but administrators affiliated with Guthrie hospital, in Corning, didn’t provide it. I took nine semi-weekly physical therapy sessions before stopping because I still hadn’t received any pricing information. My concerns were validated when the bill finally arrived weeks later for $4,340, of which I’m responsible for $2,759 after my health insurer’s contribution. (A subsequent related bill has raised my direct expense to more than $3,000.)…

My bill also scared me off getting my annual mammogram/ultrasound that I require and the foot MRI that my doctor recommended. Once bitten by the American healthcare beast, I was shy to return out of financial fear.

That’s when I decided to shop to identify substantial savings and enjoy financial certainty, which all patients deserve. Cayuga Medical Center quoted me a cash price of $1,039 for my mammogram. Arnot Ogden Medical Center nearby quoted me $1,098. Finally, I found Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, which charged only $239 for the same procedure. And while nearby hospitals often charge thousands of dollars for an MRI, Open MRI of Elmira quoted me a cash price of just $395. I had both high-value procedures earlier this year without having to file an insurance claim.

Read the full op-ed at the Syracuse Post-Standard here.