New York Patient’s Price Transparency Success Story
Cynthia Rivera, a patient from upstate New York, was able to save approximately $4,000 on her healthcare due to price transparency. In an op-ed in the Utica Observer-Dispatch, Cynthia tells her story of how she was blinded to prices and blindsided with a $3,000 bill (after her insurance contribution) for nine physical therapy sessions that consisted of just stretching and taping.
In a subsequent op-ed in the Syracuse Post-Standard, Cynthia explains how she was able to save about $2,000 by shopping for other needed care at upfront, cash-based providers:
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.
Cynthia has also continued to fight her original price gouging hospital bill, highlighting how private physical therapy alternatives can be purchased for around $100 per session without insurance. The hospital finally relented, reducing her bill to $1,300. Considering she pays around $1,000 a month in health insurance premiums, this charge is still inflated. Yet her story illustrates once again that healthcare consumers can enjoy substantial savings by shopping for their healthcare and using real prices to hold hospitals accountable.
A new executive order by the Biden administration directs Health and Human Services to support the hospital price transparency rule that took effect at the beginning of the year requiring hospitals to post real prices. This support will help boost hospital compliance with the rule and allow more patients like Cynthia to save thousands of dollars on their healthcare.