Evan Farr Quoted by The Wall Street Journal on Patients Being Asked to Pay for Medical Care Up Front
In a September 2026 article published by The Wall Street Journal, health care reporter Peter Loftus examines the growing practice of hospitals and physicians asking patients to pay some or all of their estimated out-of-pocket costs before receiving nonemergency medical care. The article reports that approximately 92% of U.S. health care providers now encourage or require prepayment, or collect a payment method during the estimate process, up from 81% in 2025.
Certified Elder Law Attorney Evan H. Farr explains that patients do not necessarily have to accept an upfront payment demand without question. Farr advises that patients can push back and tell the provider they do not want to pay in advance until it is clear what their insurance will cover. He also notes, however, that in most states providers generally can decline to perform a nonemergency procedure when a patient does not make the requested advance payment.
For patients who cannot avoid prepayment entirely, the article explains that another option is to negotiate the amount due before treatment, including asking to pay only a portion up front and arranging a payment plan for the remaining balance. Farr’s comments highlight the importance of understanding insurance coverage and the estimated patient responsibility before paying a substantial medical bill in advance.
