Still Cashing In

In December 2020, Congress voted to ban “surprise medical bills,” which can devastate patients and their families. But that ban won’t happen until 2022, and a variety of health care providers are still cashing in.

In Alleged Health Care ‘Money Grab,’ Nation’s Largest Hospital Chain Cashes In on Trauma Centers

KFF Health News Original

HCA charges patients an “activation fee” of up to $50,000 for trauma teams at centers located in half its 179 hospitals — and they often don’t need trauma care, an analysis of insurance claims data shows.