Nearly half of insured Americans get surprise expenses in medical bills, study finds

Nearly half of insured Americans get surprise expenses in medical bills, study finds

Nearly half of insured Americans have been smacked by surprise medical expenses in the past year, but a majority don’t contest billing errors or coverage denials, a new survey by the Commonwealth Fund finds. 

That inaction — which largely stems from an unawareness that such bills and denials can be challenged — can be a costly, as the effort frequently works, according to the study published on Thursday by the nonprofit private foundation.

Forty-five percent of 7,873 insured adults surveyed nationwide relayed being billed for a service they thought should have been covered, the Commonwealth Fund found. Nearly one in five — or 17% — reported being denied coverage for a doctor-recommended service. 

Kate Gibson

Source: cbsnews.com