Patients Complain of Dramatic Rise in Bills As A Result Of Northside Hospital Acquisition

Decatur resident Mike Rosenberg, 60, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006. He says the price increases began earlier this year when Northside Hospital, which operates as a nonprofit, bought out two of the state’s largest private oncology groups - Atlanta Cancer Care and Georgia Cancer Specialists.

Rosenberg was a patient at Atlanta Cancer Care. He says before the buyout, his monthly out-of-pocket costs for chemotherapy and blood work was $20. After the buy-out, that monthly shot up to more than $200. He says his insurance company has it even worse.

“It went up by $2,900. For exactly the same thing, same place, same people, same drug, same procedures, same equipment,” said Rosenberg. 

The bill jumped because his treatment center is now considered a hospital outpatient facility. Hospitals can charge more than private groups because hospitals, in general, are more expensive to run – for example, they rack up costs treating the uninsured.

Across the country, hospital systems are buying out private practices so they can add patients. Doctors agree to sell to take advantage of the higher billing rates.

Rosenberg says patients are the ones left paying.

“They are basically fleecing the most vulnerable,” said Rosenberg. “We don’t have usually enough physical energy and mental fortitude to fight with the billing departments.” 

In a written statement, Northside spokesman Russ Davis said the hospital’s expanded network will ultimately strengthen its cancer services and all billing practices are done in accordance with federal guidelines.

“Nationally and locally, physicians and hospitals continue to align as the health care industry landscape changes. The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute has done this in order to strengthen its ability to best serve cancer patients by offering the most comprehensive, advanced care, and support across the cancer care continuum,” said Davis.

He added the hospital’s policy is to provide financial counseling and other assistance to any of its patients in need.