Patient Shocked by $2,500 Drug Bill After Cancer Treatment at Discount Program Hospital

Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, Virginia King received a powerful drug in a Santa Fe, N.M. outpatient clinic to help mitigate spinal damage caused by the disease. The hospital treated her, billing her insurance company $22,700 for the drug, which had a list price of approximately $2,700. The insurer covered $10,000, yet the hospital demanded more, leaving Mrs. King with a staggering bill of over $2,500, a significant portion of her monthly income.

Unexpected hospital charges

Mrs. King's situation arose as she unknowingly sought treatment at a hospital that participates in a federal program allowing it to acquire drugs at a significant discount and charge higher amounts to patients and insurers, pocketing the difference. This situation highlights the challenges faced by patients navigating the healthcare system, particularly regarding the transparency of medical billing practices.