Help us report! Share your health costs story and search prices
How you can help CBS News and ClearHealthCosts bring more transparency to health care prices
Medical Price Roulette
Man relieved of $1.7 mllion debt relief
An update on the story of Alexis Hernandez, who fought to survive after an explosion only to be hit with a $1.7 million medical debt for his treatment at a burn center in Brooke Army Medical center. While his debt was finally waived after the story and urgings of legislators, others with similar stories still face their huge medical bills. Anna Werner reports
COVID long-haulers may face financial hurdles
Some long-haulers suffering from long-term coronavirus symptoms are now facing financial challenges as well. Anna Werner spoke with several people who faced challenges getting disability and health care coverage.
Some Cologuard users hit with unexpected high bills after cancer test
"I am mad because I pay so much every month for this insurance," on Cologuard user told CBS News. "I just feel like I'm really getting raked over."
Man billed $1.7 million by government for life-saving burn treatment
"I never expected, never in my life to live through something like this," Alexis Hernandez told CBS News' Anna Werner.
Company pauses plan to send 9,000 back to office after pushback
Epic Systems, a medical records software company, "is going to have to adhere by the same rules as everyone else," a local official said.
COVID-19 tests should be free, but these people still got big bills
People returning to their jobs could wind up having to pay for COVID-19 tests, experts warn.
His coronavirus test wasn't processed, but he got billed $9,000
Congress passed a law making coronavirus tests free, but all costs may not be covered by all insurers.
Alabama couple struggling after hospital sues over medical debt
KC and Daryl Roberts were paying what they could each month toward the more than $30,000 hospital bill.
Woman fighting with insurance for follow-up breast cancer tests
Mammograms can save lives, but in some cases, insurance companies are refusing to cover follow-up tests ordered by doctors.
Women shocked by "hidden" cost of mammograms
Health insurance covers mammograms every one to two years, but many women often need secondary tests that aren't covered
Man drives five hours for surgery insurance won't cover
Around the country, middle-class Americans with high-deductible insurance plans are heading to dozens of cash-based surgery centers
Regulators want to change law after CBS News report
"After hearing about — and resolving — a recent issue, we know that if it could happen to one consumer, it could happen to others"
Even with insurance, woman hit with $40,000 in medical bills
When Molly McKenna went to a clinic in agonizing pain, doctors told her it was an emergency. Only later did she learn much of her treatment was out-of-network
How to find out health care costs in advance
How much will that cost? Why did that cost so much? Always ask. Take notes, take names, take numbers
Man hit with $650,000 in medical bills finally gets relief
Frank Esposito was hit with $650,000 in medical bills after his insurance company said his surgery didn't qualify as an emergency
Medical bills jump from $220 to $4,000 a month – for treatment her life depends on
"I was like, how is this even possible?" one patient said of the unpredictable charges
She needed two rounds of ultrasound exams. Why did one cost 10 times more?
Medical prices vary greatly, even within the same city. "It's either unethical or dishonest," said one patient hit with a surprise bill
Ways to save on health care costs
ClearHealthCosts offers some practical tips to help you beat back your health care costs
How to read a medical bill or explanation of benefits
An insurance company's "explanation of benefits" often confuses matters more
Back surgery saved him from paralysis. Then the bills arrived: over $650,000
Frank Esposito, a tool and die maker from Long Island, New York, drained $49,000 from his retirement account and still owes over $220,000
Appealing a claim denial, or how to turn "no" into "yes"
If your insurance company denied a treatment or a medication in advance, and you want help, here's where to start
10 steps for appealing a claim or bill
So you got a huge bill, and you're sure there's been a mistake. Here's a step-by-step course of action
CBS News investigates lack of transparency in health care prices
"Nothing about the United States' health care system really makes sense," one doctor said
Health
Baby formula supplies dwindle amid widening shortage
FDA working to boost formula supplies, with more than half of popular products out of stock in some U.S. states.
Omicron surge adds complications to U.S. economy
The spread of the Omicron variant is causing an additional complication to the U.S. economy, which is already struggling with high inflation and a supply chain crisis. And data shows nearly 9 million Americans were out of work in January because they were caring for someone with COVID-19 or being ill with the virus themselves. Joshua Hausman, associate professor of public policy and economics at the University Of Michigan and research associate at the National Bureau Of Economic Research, joins CBSN's Lana Zak with more.
FDA works to approve vaccines for kids under 5
The White House is now working to provide Americans with free N95 masks and at-home COVID-19 test kits. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the vaccines for kids under the age of 5. Emergency medicine physician Dr. Owais Durrani joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the latest efforts to combat the virus.
Kids' COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise
COVID-19 hospitalizations for children are climbing, with an average of more than 900 kids admitted a day. CBS News' Michael George reports, then Dr. Gigi Chawla, chief of pediatrics at Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, joins CBSN to discuss the latest.
COVID-19 infections rising in kids
CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports on a rise in pediatric COVID-19 cases in communities like Kansas City, Missouri. Then Dr. Bob Lahita, director of the Institute for Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases at St. Joseph Health and a professor of medicine at New York Medical College, joins CBSN to discuss the latest on COVID-19.
COVID vaccines don't affect fertility, study finds
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 does not reduce the chances of getting pregnant, new research shows. Meanwhile, as the Omicron variant continues to strain hospitals, military troops are deploying to help. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn has more on the pandemic response.
Omicron batters states with low vaccination rates
Thursday marks two years since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the U.S. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn has more on how the virus is impacting states with low vaccination rates, and the battle over masks in schools. Then, emergency medicine physician Dr. Anand Swaminathan joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the latest.
U.S. debuts site for free at-home COVID tests
Some hospitals are overwhelmed, facing an influx of COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, Pfizer says that its oral pill is showing efficacy against Omicron in lab tests. Dr. Jen Caudle joins CBSN to break down some of the latest coronavirus headlines.
Omicron continues to overwhelm U.S. hospitals
The Biden administration is planning to give out 400 million free N95 masks to Americans in the coming weeks as the coronavirus surge tightens its grip on hospitals in hard-hit areas of the country. CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports from Missouri, where COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising among the unvaccinated. Then, Dr. Payal Patel, an infectious disease physician at the University of Michigan Medical School, joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the latest.
North Carolina hospitals overwhelmed
COVID-19 infections are continuing to surge in parts of the U.S. In North Carolina, recent data shows one in three people tested positive for the virus. And some local hospitals are struggling to keep up. CBS News national correspondent Manuel Bojorquez reports from Charlotte.
U.S.
More U.S.
Here's why Trump thinks tariffs are good for the U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump is proposing sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. Here's why.
Best Buy says Trump tariffs could force it to raise consumer prices
Consumers could face higher prices for electronics if President-elect Donal Trump hits Canada, Mexico and China with new tariffs, Best Buy CEO said.
Some tax refunds can come with hidden fees, government report warns
Americans paid an estimated $842 million in fees to cover advance loan refunds or refund anticipation checks last year.
Trial of ex-FBI informant indicted for lying about Bidens delayed
Alexander Smirnov, an FBI informant, was accused of lying about President Biden and Hunter Biden and now faces new charges of tax evasion.
Rudy Giuliani says he's out of money during court appearance
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani appeared in court Tuesday to face questions about his payments in the Georgia election defamation case. He claimed he's out of money.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Here's why Trump thinks tariffs are good for the U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump is proposing sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. Here's why.
Best Buy says Trump tariffs could force it to raise consumer prices
Consumers could face higher prices for electronics if President-elect Donal Trump hits Canada, Mexico and China with new tariffs, Best Buy CEO said.
Some tax refunds can come with hidden fees, government report warns
Americans paid an estimated $842 million in fees to cover advance loan refunds or refund anticipation checks last year.
Child care can cost more than families pay for rent, mortgage, college
In some parts of the U.S., parents pay more than $30,000 annually for infant care at a center, federal data shows.
Walmart U.S. CEO explains the retailer's DEI policy rollback
John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., talks about the company's decision to scale back its DEI policies.
Politics
More Politics
Trial of ex-FBI informant indicted for lying about Bidens delayed
Alexander Smirnov, an FBI informant, was accused of lying about President Biden and Hunter Biden and now faces new charges of tax evasion.
Poll: Most say they'll try to avoid political talk at Thanksgiving
Americans are most thankful for family and friends, which may be why they'll try to steer away from politics at Thanksgiving.
Mexico suggests it could retaliate with tariffs after Trump threat
Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico suffered from an influx of weapons smuggled in from the United States, and that drugs were a U.S. problem.
Trump "border czar" Tom Homan vows "there is going to be a mass deportation"
Tom Homan and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott served meals to troops stationed in Eagle Pass and Edinburg as part of Operation Lone Star.
No-fault divorce advocates start to fret as talk of banning it bubbles up
Warnings have been popping up on social media urging women who might be considering divorce to "pull the trigger" while they still have the option of no-fault divorce.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
Why Thanksgiving may feel different for Americans on weight loss drugs
This may be the first Thanksgiving for millions of Americans who are on GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, Zepbound or Wegovy.
West Virginia ends promising subsidy program for GLP-1 weight loss drugs
In 2020, West Virginia launched a pilot program to subsidize GLP-1 drugs for public employees, but the program was shuttered in March.
As many as 1 in 5 people won't lose weight with GLP-1 drugs, experts say
About 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy, according to several obesity experts.
A study to devise nutritional guidance just for you
When it comes to eating healthy, all of us respond to foods differently. The National Institutes of Health's new nutrition study hopes to finally provide Americans a personalized answer to the question: "What should I eat?"
A study to personalize nutrition guidance just for you
From the four food groups to the Food Pyramid, the U.S. government has long offered guidance to Americans hoping to eat a healthier diet. But there's growing scientific consensus that when it comes to eating healthy, all of us respond to foods differently. And to prove it, the National Institutes of Health has embarked on the most ambitious nutrition study ever, hoping to finally provide Americans a personalized answer to the question: "What should I eat?" Correspondent Lee Cowan reports.
World
More World
Airport closes runways in search for dog that escaped from plane
The plan is to get close enough to tranquilize the animal with a hypodermic needle, airport officials said.
Mexico suggests it could retaliate with tariffs after Trump threat
Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico suffered from an influx of weapons smuggled in from the United States, and that drugs were a U.S. problem.
Fugitive on FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list arrested in U.K.
Daniel Andreas San Diego was indicted more than 20 years ago in connection with two 2003 bombings.
President Biden announces ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah
Israel's Cabinet has approved the ceasefire after urging from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S. says unexplained drone sightings near U.K. military bases ongoing
The U.S. Air Force says more unexplained drones have been sighted near major British military bases used by American forces.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Entertainment
Danielle Pinnock talks "Ghosts"
Actor Danielle Pinnock joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about her role in the hit CBS comedy "Ghosts," where she plays a spirited 1920s jazz singer with plenty of sass.
Colman Domingo on starring in "The Madness"
From Emmy wins to Oscar nods, Colman Domingo reflects on his career and dives into his latest role in Netflix's "The Madness."
Brittney Griner shares pictures of baby Bash
Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle welcomed their son, Bash, in July. Now, they're sharing adorable family photos and looking ahead to their first Christmas together.
Drake accuses Spotify, UMG of inflating Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us"
The petition alleges UMG used bots to drive up streams on "Not Like Us," paid radio promoters to increase air play and paid Apple to have Siri misdirect users to Kendrick Lamar's hit song.
"Glicked" sweeps box office
"Wicked" led the box office with $114 million, while "Gladiator II" earned $55 million in a record-setting pre-Thanksgiving weekend. The combined success marks the biggest pre-Thanksgiving weekend opening since the COVID-19 pandemic. Rebecca Rubin, a senior film and media reporter with Variety, has more.
Technology
More Technology
Technology
AI grandma tool helps fend off phone scams
British phone company Virgin Media O2 has developed an AI-generated grandmother to talk to scammers all day and waste their time so you don't have to. CBS News Confirmed executive producer Melissa Mahtani has more on the "grandma" and how you can protect yourself from phone scams.
Starbucks impacted by ransomware attack on software vendor
Starbucks managers forced to rely on manual systems to handle baristas' pay, but customers unaffected.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
How AI can help to plan your next vacation
More than one third of travelers says they've incorporated artificial intelligence into their travel planning, according to a recent survey. CBS News compared how efficient booking a trip with the help of AI is compared to doing the research yourself.
Microsoft 365 is experiencing an outage. Here's what to know.
Microsoft said it's investigating an issue impacting access to Microsoft 365 and its Teams app.
Science
More Science
Science
Dishing up space food
At the Johnson Space Food Systems Laboratory in Houston, NASA scientists develop dishes – freeze-dried, heat-stabilized, or irradiated – to serve on the International Space Station. Correspondent David Pogue checks out what's on the menu in Earth orbit.
How are U.S. winters permanently changing?
This winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted above-average temperatures throughout the U.S. because of a "slowly developing" La Niña pattern. CBS News Sacramento meteorologist Tracy Humphrey reports on the changing winter conditions.
Emperor penguin found on Australian beach released at sea after 20 days of care
The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia was released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach.
Iceland volcano flares in region's 7th eruption in one year
A volcano erupted in southern Iceland, near the town of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon spa, marking the region's seventh eruption in a year.
How collecting pine cones helps renew Oregon forests after wildfires
Conservationists are teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service and logging companies to clear scorched land and make room for new reforestation projects.
Crime
More Crime
More than 3,000 fake Gibson guitars seized in California, U.S. Customs says
More than 3,000 fake Gibson guitars were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in what authorities are calling the largest seizure of counterfeit musical instruments at the massive Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport.
Fugitive on FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list arrested in U.K.
Daniel Andreas San Diego was indicted more than 20 years ago in connection with two 2003 bombings.
Menendez brothers resentencing delayed
A hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez, brothers convicted of killing their parents more than three decades ago, was postponed Monday after technical issues with the brothers' virtual appearance. The family of the brothers are asking a judge to reduce their sentences of life without parole.
FBI agent acquitted in 2020 train shooting is arrested for sexual assault
An FBI agent who was acquitted of attempted murder for shooting a man on a train near Washington, D.C., has been accused of sexual assault.
Menendez brothers resentencing delayed
A California judge on Monday delayed his decision on whether to resentence the Menendez brothers until January. In October, the outgoing Los Angeles district attorney requested a judge reconsider Lyle and Erik's sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents after new evidence was introduced. CBS News correspondent Elise Preston reports.
Space
More Space
Webb telescope captures stunning new image of the "Sombrero galaxy"
The Sombrero galaxy, named for its resemblance to the Mexican hat, is about 30 million light-years from Earth.
Blue Origin launches 6 tourists to the edge of space
Marc and Sharon Hagle, both making their second space flight, were among the passengers for the NS-28 mission.
Blue Origin launches 9th space tourism flight
The ninth Blue Origin space tourism flight launched from West Texas Friday morning. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood and space expert Scott Heidler offered analysis of the flight.
Trump, Musk attend SpaceX launch
President-elect Donald Trump attended SpaceX's sixth flight test of its Super Heavy-Starship on Tuesday with CEO Elon Musk. The burgeoning friendship between the two men played a key role in Trump's reelection, with Musk now set to run a government efficiency agency in the coming months. CBS News political reporter Jake Rosen and Politico aviation reporter Oriana Pawlyk join "America Decides" with more.
SpaceX launches Super Heavy-Starship, with Trump there to watch
President-elect Donald Trump was on hand with Elon Musk for the sixth test flight of SpaceX's huge Super Heavy-Starship rocket.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
Notable Deaths in 2024
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Serial killer Rodney Alcala's secret photos
See some of convicted serial killer Rodney Alcala's photographs that were discovered by detectives in a Seattle storage locker.
The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
Evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case
A look at the evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case; plus, newly revealed letters from the man police say wanted to be like fictional serial killer Dexter Morgan.
Summer music heats up 2024
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Examining the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal
President Biden announced Tuesday that Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah had agreed to a ceasefire deal after a year of violence. Mr. Biden said fighting will end across the Israel-Lebanon border at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata and Scott MacFarlane have the latest. Plus, retired Marine Col. Mark Cancian joins with analysis.
Biden: Israel, Lebanon accept ceasefire deal
President Biden announced Tuesday that the U.S. helped secure a ceasefire deal in Lebanon, which would end fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes anchored a special report on the announcement.
Behind Biden's weight loss drug proposal
President Biden's proposal to expand Medicaid and Medicare coverage for some weight loss drugs could impact thousands of Americans. CBS News' Alexander Tin breaks down what's known about the expansion.
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal terms
The Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire deal would require certain moves by both sides that will depend on timing and specific military movements. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata breaks down what's known about the deal's terms.
Latest news on Thanksgiving holiday travel
Airports across the country expect a record number of people to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave reports as more news emerges about a Senate report about airline "junk fees."