Why Small Health Care Fees Can Have Big Consequences

[madmax]

In reporting the story, Crouch discovered that many patients were never warned they could be billed for surveys related to mental health or social drivers of health. At hospitals like Novant Health, there was little transparency about when or why these charges appeared, forcing patients to decipher complex medical bills after the fact.

The story struck a nerve. Readers reached out saying they checked their own bills, challenged the charges, and in some cases had them reversed. For Crouch, the takeaway was clear: some of the most impactful health care reporting starts from the ground up. Listening to everyday patient experiences — at social events or online community forums — can reveal systemic issues hiding in plain sight.