People with private health insurance might pay higher prices for procedures or tests at a hospital.
A report published Monday by the research group Rand Corp. found that in 2022, the prices hospitals charged to private and employer-based insurance providers were, on average, 254% higher than what Medicare would have paid for the same services.
Charitable pharmacies, which are often nonprofit organizations and provide free medications to low-income and uninsured people, are tackling this problem by helping those who need it most. In fact, according to the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, there are more than 5.8 million visits to charitable pharmacies and clinics every year.
Cataracts commonly develop as people age, although they can also be caused by injury, diabetes, smoking, or previous eye surgery. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. Surgery, though, is a common and effective treatment that is usually covered by insurance. Cataract removal is usually an outpatient procedure.

