The Cost of Care cover image

The Cost of Care

3. Upcoded: You’re Never Done Paying

Apr 22, 2021
Sarah Kliff, a New York Times journalist focused on healthcare financing, and Marshall Allen, a ProPublica journalist and author, unveil the hidden chaos of medical billing. They dissect outrageous upcoding practices like $629 band-aids and $11,000 COVID tests. The conversation reveals how financial fears deter patients from seeking necessary care, leaving families anxious about unexpected medical costs. Both guests emphasize the critical need for transparency and patient advocacy in a convoluted healthcare system that often prioritizes profit over genuine care.
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Quick takeaways

  • The podcast highlights the emotional burden of navigating unpredictable medical expenses, leading families to make difficult decisions about seeking care.
  • It emphasizes the exploitative practice of upcoding in medical billing, advocating for increased transparency and patient empowerment in managing healthcare costs.

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