US hospitals adding billions in 'facility' fees for routine care

Rebecca Smith, a breast cancer survivor, saw a surge in medical fees after a North Carolina cancer clinic where she received care was bought by Novant Health. (Image: The Wall Street Journal)

The Wall Street Journal

Sat, 30 Mar 2024

By Melanie EvansTim Ebel’s visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist last October came to US$348 (NZ$580). At the same time, he got a second bill for US$645. The hospital system that owns the Avon, Ohio, clinic had charged him separately for use of the office where he met his physician. It is what is known as a facility fee, which included overheads for the system’s hospitals even though Ebel hadn’t set foot in one. His wife, Kelly Ebel, tried to get the system, University Hospitals, to waive or mark down the fee....

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