North Carolina hospital charges man $1,011 after 'free' cancer screening, biopsies

A North Carolina resident visited High Point, N.C.-based Bethany Medical Center for a "free" cancer screening, but a month later received a bill charging him $1,011, according to WFMY 2.

Porter McNairy said he opted to undergo a cancer screening after learning the medical center was offering them for free, as skin cancer runs in his family. During the exam, a physician noticed a few spots and recommended Mr. McNairy undergo a biopsy. The facility charged per biopsy, and Mr. McNairy said he begrudgingly paid the $294 bill for two biopsies, according to the report.

However, Mr. McNairy told the television station that about one month later, he received a second bill via mail for $1,011. Believing it to be a billing mistake, Mr. McNairy said he contacted Bethany Medical Center and a billing agent offered to lower the cost to $683 but would not waive the charges.

Mr. McNairy said he contacted WFMY 2 after the facility refused to eliminate the bill in full. When contacted by the television station, a Bethany Medical Center spokesperson told WFMY 2 officials were working with the patient "to resolve this situation amicably," the report states.

Roughly two days after WFMY 2 contacted the medical center, the facility contacted Mr. McNairy and waived the $1,011 bill.

Editor's note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to Bethany Medical Center June 25 for comment and will update the report as more information becomes available.

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