Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Medical Credit Cards Can Add To Big Bills For Patients
Few people look forward to a trip to the doctor or dentist, especially if they're not sure how they will pay for it. Some choose to use a special kind of credit card offered by medical professionals to pay for care at certain locations or networks. Often pitched by office assistants, they can seem like a quick fix for pricey procedures not covered by insurance including dental work, cosmetic surgery or laser vision correction. (1/10)
Also in the news health care costs, a look at the wide variation in the prices charged by Minnesota hospitals for a variety of common procedures —
A report from the Minnesota Department of Health found a wide range in the prices that Minnesota hospitals charge for a variety of common procedures. Minnesota is not the only state where hospital prices for the same procedure vary, but it is ranked as one of the most expensive. (Miller and Fornoff, 1/10)
