A recent survey by the Commonwealth Fund highlights a concerning trend: almost half of insured Americans are getting hit with surprise medical bills, often for charges that should have been covered by their insurance. Despite having coverage, insured patients frequently face unexpected financial burdens. The survey findings also reveal a serious lack of awareness among consumers about their rights to challenge billing errors, with fewer than half of consumers knowing they can dispute unexpected or incorrect charges. 

However, those who did challenge often saw their bills reduced or eliminated, suggesting that patient advocacy is effective. It is crucial for patients to be informed that they can question discrepancies in their medical bills. Ensuring that patients know their rights and how to exercise them could significantly reduce the financial burden many currently face. 

The root of these surprise bills lies in the high cost of healthcare, exacerbated by the prevalence of high-deductible health plans, which shift a significant financial burden onto patients, often leaving them unprepared for substantial out-of-pocket expenses. To address this issue, the No Surprises Act (NSA) was enacted in 2022 to protect people from unexpected medical bills. While the implementation of the NSA has been rocky, it is a step in the right direction, and with ongoing litigation resulting in decisions to improve the Act, hopefully one day insured patients will not be hit with surprise medical bills.