DeepSummary
The podcast opens with an introduction to an upcoming special event for the podcast Slow Burn, where they will dive deeper into the new season about the Briggs initiative and the fight over LGBTQ rights in schools. The hosts then begin discussing the issue of confusing and surprising medical bills, sharing their personal experiences of receiving unexpectedly high bills even with insurance coverage.
The hosts interview former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who shares his own experience of receiving a nearly $5,000 bill after a visit to the emergency room for dehydration. He explains the lack of transparency in medical billing practices, the perverse incentives created by the current system, and the challenges he faced in trying to negotiate the bill.
Dr. Adams emphasizes the importance of transparency, prevention, and creating healthy communities to address the issue of high medical costs. He also discusses the role of businesses in advocating for affordable healthcare and the need for policies that protect consumers from surprise medical bills.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Medical bills in the United States can be confusing, opaque, and surprisingly high, even for those with insurance coverage.
- The lack of transparency in medical billing practices and perverse incentives in the healthcare system contribute to the problem of high medical costs.
- Surprise medical bills can have significant financial and economic impacts, leading to medical debt and even bankruptcy for many individuals.
- Preventive healthcare and creating healthy communities are essential to address the root causes of high medical costs.
- Policy changes, increased transparency, and consumer advocacy are needed to protect individuals from surprise medical bills and promote affordable healthcare.
- Businesses and employers have a vested interest in advocating for affordable healthcare as it impacts their workforce and economic productivity.
- Navigating the complex medical billing system is challenging, even for healthcare professionals and those with connections in the industry.
- The fear of receiving high medical bills can deter individuals from seeking necessary preventive care, leading to worse health outcomes and higher costs in the long run.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If I can't navigate the system, then it shows you that the average citizen, the average constituent, has little to no hope.“ by Jerome Adams
- “It hurts our country when 66% of bankruptcies are due to medical debt.“ by Jerome Adams
- “I want people to understand the system so that they can advocate for policies that will help everyone moving forward.“ by Jerome Adams
- “If this is what I'm dealing with, the average consumer does not stand a chance.“ by Jerome Adams
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Episode Information
Well, Now
Slate Podcasts
5/1/24
Who hasn’t received necessary medical care and got a shockingly high bill for it weeks later?
Even with insurance, many Americans will experience this at some point–including one of the most recognizable doctors in the country: the U.S. surgeon general.
Earlier this year, Dr. Jerome Adams – who served as surgeon general for the Trump Administration – received a bill of nearly $5,000 after being treated for dehydration. What was his strategy for fighting it?
On this week’s episode of Well, Now: How to fight back when you receive a surprising medical bill.
If you liked this episode, check out: Ending Racism in Healthcare
Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.
Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com
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