A little over six months ago, Gothamist launched a health care cost transparency project called PriceCheckNYC in collaboration with our sister station WNYC and the health care research firm ClearHealthCosts. Our goal has been to shine a light on the many ways in which people can get blindsided by health costs and to explain how the billing system works in the hopes of making it a little less mysterious.
To find a way into this labyrinth, we asked you to share your stories--and you responded. You’ve shared your vexing medical bills, your frustrating interactions with medical and insurance professionals, and your many questions. And we sought answers.
Why did you get quoted one price for a medical procedure and charged another? Why did a routine office visit come with a giant hospital fee? How can a lifesaving rabies shot be so expensive? When is a free screening no longer free? Why do New Yorkers pay so much out of pocket for mental health care that’s supposedly covered by insurance?
And which, if any, of these situations violates the law?
We dug into these questions and more during the first half of this year-long project and will continue to do so over the next several months. That means we still want to hear from you.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it a whole new set of rules and challenges when it comes to health care costs and access.
We want to know how your health insurance has been impacted and what choices you’re grappling with. We want to know whether you’ve skipped medical procedures, screenings, or other care, and whether you’re worried about the consequences.
Medical professionals: We want to hear about the impact the pandemic is having on your practice, your finances, your mental health, and the health of your patients. What challenges are you facing as New York reopens?
Patients: We want to know if your medical provider is urging you to come back for care, or still cautioning you to stay away.
And we want to know about direct costs. If you’ve been tested or treated for COVID-19 and had to pay--or had a hefty bill covered--let us know.
PriceCheckNYC is all about creating transparency in a system designed to be opaque. Whether you’re fighting to overhaul the health system entirely, or just want to figure out a way to save some money, information is key.
So please, share your health care anecdotes, bills and questions with us. You can email us at [email protected], or you can share your medical bills in our searchable health cost database below.
