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Why A Hospital Would Charge $400 For A Tylenol, And How You Can Get A Better Price

By Sean Cole

Published April 1, 2013 at 1:44 PM EDT

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The next time you get an outrageous hospital bill, don’t get worked up. Take a breath and negotiate.

For a good strategy, listen to Pat Palmer, who knows how to land the best price for services rendered. And she’s seen it all: from $400 bills for a single Tylenol, to a teddy bear masquerading as a very expensive "cough support device."

Pat, who has worked for an insurance company, shares her tricks for finding savings in the fine print of a hospital bill.

Hear this interview at The Story's website. Also in this show: John Fischer turned to researchers and philosophers as they attempt to answer the question, "What happens next?"