A new mom left the internet shocked over the astronomical medical bill she received after childbirth.
Janice Hernandez had daughter Aliana at the end of October via emergency c-section.
The girl was born with the one-in-30,000 genetic disorder Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) which leads to feeding issues and low muscle tone in newborns
Aliana spent seven weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), finally coming home in December.
However, the stress was far from over. Earlier this month, Ms Hernandez received a hospital bill for over $700,000 for her daughter’s NICU stay.
As she looked through the bill, she noticed mounting costs for seemingly minor conveniences like lotion and moving the newborn to another room.
Ms Hernandez’s story, which she shared on TikTok last week, led users to share similar issues with ‘insane’ medical costs in the US.
Other users in countries like Canada and Australia, which have universal healthcare, were left shocked by the high price tag.
Janice Hernandez (pictured left) posted a TikTok video claiming she was billed over $700,000 (right) for her daughter’s stay in the NICU
In a follow-up video, Ms Hernandez said: ‘Imagine if I didn’t have insurance. I’d have to pay all of this.’
‘Here in America, just to breathe costs money and so of course when you step foot into a hospital, they start charging you automatically.
‘I just wish that America would get its healthcare system together.’
The NICU provides constant care for babies born early or who are diagnosed with health issues, such as Ms Hernandez’s daughter.
Babies often receive help with feeding, such as through a tube, as well as breathing support.
While most NICU babies only have to stay for a few days, some may spend weeks or months in the hospital depending on their needs.
Ms Hernandez was given an itemized bill for her daughter’s entire stay.
Upon reviewing it, she noticed she was billed $4,337 every time the staff switched Aliana’s room.
She claims this happened six times, adding up to just over $26,000.
She was also billed for small items like tubes of lotion.
The total bill added up to $738,360. However, Ms Hernandez said she has insurance, which should pay the majority of the cost.
Aliana, pictured here, was born with the rare genetic condition Prader-Willi syndrome. She spent nearly two months in the NICU, her mother said
Total US healthcare spending – which includes what the government as well as insurance companies and individuals pay for – grew past $4.3trillion in 2021, though the US is also notorious for high medical bills due to a lack of universal healthcare
Ms Hernandez’s video, which has 2.8million views, led dozens of other users to share similar stories of high medical bills after their children were in intensive care.
A user named Tanya commented that her daughter’s NICU bill added up to $2.5million. After insurance, she owed $4,500.
Another commenter named Maegan claimed she was billed $4million after her twins were born 13 weeks early and had to stay in the NICU.
Users in other countries with universal healthcare, however, were left shocked by the high price tag.
One user said: ‘This is actually insane. America feels like such a scam in general, in Canada this would’ve been $0. I feel so sad thinking about all the mums not having their baby and having to pay SO MUCH money.’
Another said: ‘As someone who lives in Australia. I AM IN TEARS FOR YOU.’
User Stacey Whelan wrote: ‘What!!! I Live in New Zealand and have had 2 babies, one that had a nicu stay it cost me ZERO dollars and that’s with no insurance. America is insane!!’
