09/22/2026
Some hospitals and medical providers are asking patients to pay more before receiving non-emergency care.
The trend comes as deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs continue to rise.
Traditionally, many patients received bills after treatment. Now, some providers are collecting preservice deposits based on their estimate of what a patient may owe.
A KFF Health News report noted that the average deductible for employer-sponsored family coverage is $3,762 per person. The average deductible for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage rose 37% this year to $3,786.
For patients, upfront payment requests can create confusion, especially when insurance networks, deductibles, and estimated costs are unclear.
Emergency care has different rules. Hospitals that accept Medicare funding cannot demand upfront payment before stabilizing a patient who arrives at an emergency room.
For non-emergency care, it may be worth asking for an itemized estimate, confirming network status, and checking with the insurance company before making a large payment.
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Hospitals and other medical providers are increasingly asking for payment before providing care, collecting more of what patients might owe.
