Healthcare billing practices in the U.S. are often misleading and financially devastating for consumers. Many patients receive unexpected medical bills due to upcoding, phantom billing, and hidden fees.

Upcoding occurs when providers bill for more expensive procedures than those performed, while phantom billing involves charging for services that were never provided. These fraudulent tactics contribute to rising healthcare costs and place unnecessary financial strain on patients.

To combat this issue, stricter regulations and greater price transparency are needed. Patients should have clear access to pricing information before receiving care, ensuring they are not exploited by unethical billing practices.