Dr. Wanted

Last year, more than 43,000 students applied to the nation’s medical schools. Only 42 percent of them got in—the lowest acceptance rate in more than a decade. The number of graduates—18,200 last year—has risen over the last 10 years, but only modestly.

Requesting upfront payments ensures that the hospital receives payment from patients. On the other hand, avoiding upfront payment requests ensures that the patient pays for the true amount that is owed, instead of falling victim to overcharging hospital billing systems.