healthcare4 hours ago
Outpatient Clinics Bill Patients at Hospital Rates via 'Facility Fees'
The Washington Post reports that many outpatient medical offices are billing patients at rates up to ten times higher than standard office visits by classifying their facilities as hospitals. This practice allows clinics to charge 'facility fees' and access higher reimbursement rates from insurers, even when patients never enter a traditional hospital setting. The article highlights how this billing strategy significantly increases out-of-pocket costs for patients and raises questions about the transparency and fairness of healthcare pricing structures.
