Alex Montalvo’s story is a stark reminder of how hospitals like Atrium Health are financially destroying patients.

After an emergency asthma attack and a life-threatening intestinal issue, Montalvo was hit with surprise bills, despite having insurance. Perhaps most outrageous of all: the inflated charges. A CT scan cost over $6,000—more than 10 times what Medicare pays for the same procedure. Even routine costs like anesthesia and recovery room time were priced sky-high, and despite Montalvo’s insurance covering most of the $80,000 bill, this put him in a financial hole that could prevent him from achieving his life goals, like buying a home. This kind of billing is not just a minor inconvenience—it’s financial devastation.

Despite these outrageous charges, Atrium Health’s response to the situation has been far from reassuring. They acknowledge the “complex” billing process but remain vague about how they’ll fix it, offering little more than a generic commitment to “assist patients through the financial costs.” This, after putting patients like Montalvo at the mercy of an deceptive, exploitative system that seems more interested in squeezing every last dollar than supporting the people they are supposed to serve. As a result, higher hospital bills lead to higher premiums, the brunt of which is borne by employers. When premiums increase for employers, those costs get passed along to consumers.

“It doesn’t seem like hospitals are looking out for your best interest as much as their bottom line,” he said. “You’re at the mercy of the billing department.”

According to Sage Transparency, Atrium Health charges privately-insured patients 308% of Medicare rates, which is significantly higher than the national benchmark (253%) and even the state benchmark (271%). Essentially, Atrium is blatantly overcharging patients.

It’s time to demand accountability from hospitals that prioritize their bottom line over the well-being of their communities. No one should have to choose between their health and their financial future. Better Solutions remains committed to this fight.