‘An Arm and a Leg’: Her bill for a prenatal test felt like a ‘bait-and-switch’ scheme

Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.Aug 3 2022

Can a health care company make enough people mad about its billing practices that its business is hurt? For one genetic testing company, maybe.

An “Arm and a Leg” listener got a test that has become routine in early pregnancy: noninvasive prenatal testing. It was supposed to be $99. But then — after she took the test — that turned into $250. And when she asked questions, she was told it could go up to $800 if she didn't pay up quickly. The patient looked up the testing company and found that lots of people had experienced what she called "the genetic testing bait-and-switch."

And importantly — she's not the only one who noticed. When some guys on Wall Street, plus a New York Times reporter, started hearing about those bills, the company found itself in hot water.

"An Arm and a Leg" is a co-production of KHN and Public Road Productions.

To keep in touch with "An Arm and a Leg," subscribe to the newsletter. You can also follow the show on Facebook and Twitter. And if you have stories to tell about the health care system, the producers would love to hear from you.