"Liza Bernstein survived breast cancer three times. But it took all she had. She lost her home..."

Beating Cancer Shouldn't Force Patients Into Bankruptcy

By Kenneth Thorpe & Patricia Goldsmith
February 01, 2017

"Liza Bernstein survived breast cancer three times. But it took all she had. She lost her home and savings to the costs of tests and treatments. She's not technically bankrupt -- but that's only because she "couldn't afford the fees" to file the claim.

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First, providers and health insurance companies need to stop surprising patients with unexpected costs. Nearly 3 in 4 Americans recently said it's very important to have more transparency when it comes to costs at the hospitals. Yet, only half of cancer patients felt they understood what their insurance plans would cover.

Requiring insurers to be transparent regarding the out-of-pocket costs for hospital and physician visits and medications would empower patients and their doctors to build a treatment plan that meets their needs and budgets."