Don’t Get ‘Bullied’ Into Paying What You Don’t Owe

Despite checking that her cochlear implant surgery would be covered by her insurer before proceeding, Caitlyn Mai was still sent a bill for the full cost of the operation, more than $139,000. This led to a protracted battle between Mai, her insurance firm and the hospital to sort out the payment. As a healthcare journalist, Dan Weissmann suggests Mai’s case shows the necessity of the adage “never pay the first bill.”