NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsOctober 28, 2026Hillsborough County
Tampa Bay families drop health insurance as cash prices for medical services prove cheaper
Photo: ABC Action News (WFTS) — News
Some Tampa Bay residents are dropping traditional health insurance after finding that direct cash payments for routine medical care can cost less than using insurance plans. Research shows that cash prices at many hospitals across the country are equal to or lower than insurance-negotiated rates for common services.
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsWhy It Matters
Patients can face unexpected price discrepancies where out-of-pocket cash rates for specific medical imaging, tests, and procedures cost hundreds of dollars less than the insured rate, altering how some households budget for medical expenses.
Key Facts
- Laura Kissak and her family have used self-pay for healthcare for about 7 years.
- Kissak created the Facebook page Self Pay Tampa Bay to connect with others sharing similar experiences.
- Kissak reports paying a $200 monthly membership for a primary care doctor offering cash options, compared to previous monthly premiums of $2,000 with a $10,000 deductible.
- A simple blood work test cost about $20 at a cash-pay primary care provider, compared to a $400 bill from Quest after insurance.
- A Tampa General Hospital price estimator showed a bilateral mammogram cost $529 with insurance versus $185 for self-pay.
- Johns Hopkins researchers studied 70 shoppable health care services across 2,379 hospitals and found 47% had cash prices lower than or equal to insurance-negotiated rates.
- Dr. Jay Wolfson states that growing demand for self-pay options reflects changes in the healthcare system and limitations of the Affordable Care Act.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationHCA Florida Healthcare“Hospital group with a price estimator tool”OrganizationUSF's Morsani College of Medicine“Academic institution where Dr. Jay Wolfson works”OrganizationSelf Pay Tampa Bay“Facebook page created by Laura Kissak for self-pay patients”PersonLaura Kissak“South Tampa mother who dropped health insurance and created Self Pay Tampa Bay”OrganizationTampa General Hospital“Hospital whose price estimator was tested for mammogram costs”OrganizationAdventHealth“Hospital group with a price estimator tool”OrganizationQuest“Lab service provider referenced for blood draw billing”OrganizationJohns Hopkins“University whose researchers studied hospital cash prices”OrganizationBayCare“Hospital group with a price estimator tool”PersonJay Wolfson“Professor at USF's Morsani College of Medicine”