Episodes
To get paid, hospitals get creative
Season 2 - Episode 2
Hospital bills are too high, and insurance doesn't cover enough. Turns out, that's a crisis for hospitals too: more and more of us aren't paying those bills, because we can't. So, they're getting creative about collecting , and offering discounts. Which raises questions about why the bills are so high to begin with.
Hospital bills are too high, and insurance doesn't cover enough. Turns out, that's a crisis for hospitals too: more and more of us aren't paying those bills, because we can't. So, they're getting creative about collecting , and offering discounts. Which raises questions about why the bills are so high to begin with.
We thought we had adulted properly
Season 2 - Episode 1
Caitlin and Corey Gaffer got a surprise letter from their insurance company , saying they were being dumped for non-payment. Except, as far as they knew, they were paid up.
Caitlin and Corey Gaffer got a surprise letter from their insurance company , saying they were being dumped for non-payment. Except, as far as they knew, they were paid up.
A “deal” on health insurance comes with troubling strings
Season 1 - Episode 8
Bari Tessler is a little famous as a "financial therapist," but even she gets rattled by the price of health care. Her story is complicated, and relatable.
Bari Tessler is a little famous as a "financial therapist," but even she gets rattled by the price of health care. Her story is complicated, and relatable.
Why are ER bills so horrible? Sarah Kliff spent a year finding out.
Season 1 - Episode 7
Emergency rooms often bill you a "cover charge" just for walking in the door, and it can be thousands of dollars.
Emergency rooms often bill you a "cover charge" just for walking in the door, and it can be thousands of dollars.
Why Health Insurance Actually Sucks
Season 1 - Episode 6
Turns out, insurance companies allow , even encourage , crazy price-gouging by hospitals. For example, the leg brace Blake needed was available for $150 on Amazon. But thanks to his insurance, he paid more than $500.
Turns out, insurance companies allow , even encourage , crazy price-gouging by hospitals. For example, the leg brace Blake needed was available for $150 on Amazon. But thanks to his insurance, he paid more than $500.
So, Robin Hood’s got an approach to medical bills.
Season 1 - Episode 5
The health-care system , especially the financial side , can feel like a Medieval torture device. So maybe it fits that workers from Renaissance fairs have come up with a work-around.
The health-care system , especially the financial side , can feel like a Medieval torture device. So maybe it fits that workers from Renaissance fairs have come up with a work-around.
Why you (and I) will likely pick the wrong health-insurance plan
Season 1 - Episode 4
Because as smart economists recently proved it is super-confusing, and most of us can't do the math.
Because as smart economists recently proved it is super-confusing, and most of us can't do the math.
How one drug got its $500,000 price tag. (With 99 Percent Invisible)
Season 1 - Episode 3
The answer involves a suburban housewife, a 1970s TV star, and a Las Vegas maker of popcorn and nacho cheese sauce. Also: Wall Street.
The answer involves a suburban housewife, a 1970s TV star, and a Las Vegas maker of popcorn and nacho cheese sauce. Also: Wall Street.
All the Marbles: One woman’s epic quest for health insurance
Season 1 - Episode 2
Laura Derrick takes a drug that costs more than $500,000 a year.
Laura Derrick takes a drug that costs more than $500,000 a year.
This is Water, and it sucks. Let’s talk.
Season 1 - Episode 1
When I first started talking about doing a show about the cost of health careeverybody had a story. Including me.
When I first started talking about doing a show about the cost of health careeverybody had a story. Including me.