{"id":2077182,"date":"2025-08-20T18:48:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T22:48:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/?page_id=2077182"},"modified":"2025-08-20T18:55:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T22:55:19","slug":"health-care-helpline-share-your-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/health-care-helpline-share-your-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Headaches Over the Health System?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Pre-authorization delay? No in-network specialists? Dispute over costs? Confusion after a hospital discharge? Long wait times in the ER? Share your story. Health Care Helpline helps you navigate the hurdles between you and good care. Send us your tricky question and we may tap a policy sleuth to puzzle it out. This crowdsourced project is from NPR and KFF Health News.<\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>\"function\"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(\"The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 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d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+\"_\"+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){\"function\"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),\"action\"==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),\"filter\"==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n\n                <div class='gf_browser_unknown gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_27' >\n                        <div class='gform_heading'>\n                            <p class='gform_description'><\/p>\n                        <\/div><form method='post' enctype='multipart\/form-data'  id='gform_27'  action='\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2077182' data-formid='27' novalidate><div class='gf_invisible ginput_recaptchav3' data-sitekey='6LdwlqsoAAAAAJqOQ7qUi_1syeAj0j6jRGpDsCxb' data-tabindex='0'><input id=\"input_778476dc2b389599ab5da289bcc9ef49\" class=\"gfield_recaptcha_response\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"input_778476dc2b389599ab5da289bcc9ef49\" value=\"\"\/><\/div>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_27' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_above description_above validation_below'><div id=\"field_27_37\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-honeypot gform_validation_container field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_27_37'>Phone<\/label><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_27_37'>This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.<\/div><div class='ginput_container'><input name='input_37' id='input_27_37' type='text' value='' autocomplete='new-password'\/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_27_18\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_18' id='input_27_18' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_27_7\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-section gfield--input-type-section gsection field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><h3 class=\"gsection_title\">About You<\/h3><\/div><fieldset id=\"field_27_1\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-name gfield--input-type-name gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label gfield_label_before_complex' >Your name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/legend><div class='ginput_complex ginput_container ginput_container--name no_prefix has_first_name no_middle_name has_last_name no_suffix gf_name_has_2 ginput_container_name gform-grid-row' id='input_27_1'>\n                            \n                            <span id='input_27_1_3_container' class='name_first gform-grid-col gform-grid-col--size-auto' >\n                                                    <label for='input_27_1_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-sub '>First<\/label>\n                                                    <input type='text' name='input_1.3' id='input_27_1_3' value=''   aria-required='true'    autocomplete=\"given-name\" \/>\n                                                <\/span>\n                            \n                            <span id='input_27_1_6_container' class='name_last gform-grid-col gform-grid-col--size-auto' >\n                                                            <label for='input_27_1_6' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-sub '>Last<\/label>\n                                                            <input type='text' name='input_1.6' id='input_27_1_6' value=''   aria-required='true'    autocomplete=\"family-name\" \/>\n                                                        <\/span>\n                            \n                        <\/div><\/fieldset><fieldset id=\"field_27_4\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-address gfield--input-type-address gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label gfield_label_before_complex' >Where do you live?<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/legend>    \n                    <div class='ginput_complex ginput_container has_city has_state has_country ginput_container_address gform-grid-row' id='input_27_4' >\n                        <span class='ginput_left address_city ginput_address_city gform-grid-col' id='input_27_4_3_container' >\n                                    <label for='input_27_4_3' id='input_27_4_3_label' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-sub '>City<\/label>\n                                    <input type='text' name='input_4.3' id='input_27_4_3' value=''    aria-required='true'   autocomplete=\"address-level2\" \/>\n                                 <\/span><span class='ginput_right address_state ginput_address_state gform-grid-col' id='input_27_4_4_container' >\n                                        <label for='input_27_4_4' id='input_27_4_4_label' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-sub '>State or territory<\/label>\n                                        <select name='input_4.4' id='input_27_4_4'     aria-required='true'   autocomplete=\"address-level1\" ><option value='' ><\/option><option value='Alabama' selected='selected'>Alabama<\/option><option value='Alaska' >Alaska<\/option><option value='American Samoa' >American Samoa<\/option><option value='Arizona' >Arizona<\/option><option value='Arkansas' >Arkansas<\/option><option value='California' >California<\/option><option value='Colorado' >Colorado<\/option><option value='Connecticut' >Connecticut<\/option><option value='Delaware' >Delaware<\/option><option value='District of Columbia' >District of Columbia<\/option><option value='Florida' >Florida<\/option><option value='Georgia' >Georgia<\/option><option value='Guam' >Guam<\/option><option value='Hawaii' >Hawaii<\/option><option value='Idaho' >Idaho<\/option><option value='Illinois' >Illinois<\/option><option value='Indiana' >Indiana<\/option><option value='Iowa' >Iowa<\/option><option value='Kansas' >Kansas<\/option><option value='Kentucky' >Kentucky<\/option><option value='Louisiana' >Louisiana<\/option><option value='Maine' >Maine<\/option><option value='Maryland' >Maryland<\/option><option value='Massachusetts' >Massachusetts<\/option><option value='Michigan' >Michigan<\/option><option value='Minnesota' >Minnesota<\/option><option value='Mississippi' >Mississippi<\/option><option value='Missouri' >Missouri<\/option><option value='Montana' >Montana<\/option><option value='Nebraska' >Nebraska<\/option><option value='Nevada' >Nevada<\/option><option value='New Hampshire' >New Hampshire<\/option><option value='New Jersey' >New Jersey<\/option><option value='New Mexico' >New Mexico<\/option><option value='New York' >New York<\/option><option value='North Carolina' >North Carolina<\/option><option value='North Dakota' >North Dakota<\/option><option value='Northern Mariana Islands' >Northern Mariana Islands<\/option><option value='Ohio' >Ohio<\/option><option value='Oklahoma' >Oklahoma<\/option><option value='Oregon' >Oregon<\/option><option value='Pennsylvania' >Pennsylvania<\/option><option value='Puerto Rico' >Puerto Rico<\/option><option value='Rhode Island' >Rhode Island<\/option><option value='South Carolina' >South Carolina<\/option><option value='South Dakota' >South Dakota<\/option><option value='Tennessee' >Tennessee<\/option><option value='Texas' >Texas<\/option><option value='Utah' >Utah<\/option><option value='U.S. Virgin Islands' >U.S. Virgin Islands<\/option><option value='Vermont' >Vermont<\/option><option value='Virginia' >Virginia<\/option><option value='Washington' >Washington<\/option><option value='West Virginia' >West Virginia<\/option><option value='Wisconsin' >Wisconsin<\/option><option value='Wyoming' >Wyoming<\/option><option value='Armed Forces Americas' >Armed Forces Americas<\/option><option value='Armed Forces Europe' >Armed Forces Europe<\/option><option value='Armed Forces Pacific' >Armed Forces Pacific<\/option><\/select>\n                                      <\/span><input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='input_4.6' id='input_27_4_6' value='United States' \/>\n                    <div class='gf_clear gf_clear_complex'><\/div>\n                <\/div><\/fieldset><div id=\"field_27_30\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield--input-type-textarea gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_27_30'>Tell us the story behind your health system headache.<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_30' id='input_27_30' class='textarea medium'   maxlength='500'  aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_27_34\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield--input-type-textarea gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_27_34'>Briefly tell us the question at the heart of your health-system story.<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_27_34'>Max 150 characters. Some of our strongest storytelling is driven by one concise question. Let us know the most fundamental query within your story or the issue you\u2019re most interested in having us research and report on. <\/div><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_34' id='input_27_34' class='textarea medium'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_27_34\" maxlength='150'  aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_27_36\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-number gfield--input-type-number gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_27_36'>How old is the person you are writing to tell us about?<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_number'><input name='input_36' id='input_27_36' type='number' step='any' min='0' max='105' value='' class='large'     aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"gfield_instruction_27_36\" \/><div class='gfield_description instruction ' id='gfield_instruction_27_36'>Please enter a number from <strong>0<\/strong> to <strong>105<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_27_21\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text gfield--width-full field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_27_21'>What is the race or ethnicity of the person who experienced the health-system hurdle?<\/label><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_27_21'>We strive to tell stories that include people from different backgrounds and experiences. If you\u2019d like, please share your race or ethnicity.<\/div><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_21' id='input_27_21' type='text' value='' class='large'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_27_21\"    aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_27_17\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-fileupload gfield--input-type-fileupload gfield--width-full field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='gform_browse_button_27_17'>More information to share? (Optional)<\/label><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_27_17'>If you have a medical bill, correspondence, or documents that will help us begin to unravel your dilemma, please attach them. We won\u2019t publish or share your information outside of our organization without your permission. <\/div><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_fileupload'><div id='gform_multifile_upload_27_17' data-settings='{&quot;runtimes&quot;:&quot;html5,flash,html4&quot;,&quot;browse_button&quot;:&quot;gform_browse_button_27_17&quot;,&quot;container&quot;:&quot;gform_multifile_upload_27_17&quot;,&quot;drop_element&quot;:&quot;gform_drag_drop_area_27_17&quot;,&quot;filelist&quot;:&quot;gform_preview_27_17&quot;,&quot;unique_names&quot;:true,&quot;file_data_name&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/kffhealthnews.org\\\/?gf_page=a6468c8a97db54a&quot;,&quot;flash_swf_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/kffhealthnews.org\\\/wp-includes\\\/js\\\/plupload\\\/plupload.flash.swf&quot;,&quot;silverlight_xap_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/kffhealthnews.org\\\/wp-includes\\\/js\\\/plupload\\\/plupload.silverlight.xap&quot;,&quot;filters&quot;:{&quot;mime_types&quot;:[{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Allowed Files&quot;,&quot;extensions&quot;:&quot;pdf,jpg,png,gif&quot;}],&quot;max_file_size&quot;:&quot;4294967296b&quot;},&quot;multipart&quot;:true,&quot;urlstream_upload&quot;:false,&quot;multipart_params&quot;:{&quot;form_id&quot;:27,&quot;field_id&quot;:17,&quot;_gform_file_upload_nonce_27_17&quot;:&quot;fe05ebbdf7&quot;},&quot;gf_vars&quot;:{&quot;max_files&quot;:0,&quot;message_id&quot;:&quot;gform_multifile_messages_27_17&quot;,&quot;disallowed_extensions&quot;:[&quot;php&quot;,&quot;asp&quot;,&quot;aspx&quot;,&quot;cmd&quot;,&quot;csh&quot;,&quot;bat&quot;,&quot;html&quot;,&quot;htm&quot;,&quot;hta&quot;,&quot;jar&quot;,&quot;exe&quot;,&quot;com&quot;,&quot;js&quot;,&quot;lnk&quot;,&quot;htaccess&quot;,&quot;phar&quot;,&quot;phtml&quot;,&quot;ps1&quot;,&quot;ps2&quot;,&quot;php3&quot;,&quot;php4&quot;,&quot;php5&quot;,&quot;php6&quot;,&quot;py&quot;,&quot;rb&quot;,&quot;tmp&quot;]}}' class='gform_fileupload_multifile'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id='gform_drag_drop_area_27_17' class='gform_drop_area gform-theme-field-control'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='gform_drop_instructions'>Drop files here or <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type='button' id='gform_browse_button_27_17' class='button gform_button_select_files gform-theme-button gform-theme-button--control' aria-describedby=\"gfield_upload_rules_27_17 gfield_description_27_17\"  >Select files<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><span class='gfield_description gform_fileupload_rules' id='gfield_upload_rules_27_17'>Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, gif, Max. file size: 4 GB.<\/span><ul class='validation_message--hidden-on-empty gform-ul-reset' id='gform_multifile_messages_27_17'><\/ul> <div id='gform_preview_27_17' class='ginput_preview_list'><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_27_10\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-section gfield--input-type-section gsection field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><h3 class=\"gsection_title\">How Can We Reach You?<\/h3><div class='gsection_description' id='gfield_description_27_10'>The next step is for a reporter to reach out to you to find out more about your story. <\/div><\/div><fieldset id=\"field_27_2\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-email gfield--input-type-email gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label gfield_label_before_complex' >Your email address<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/legend><div class='ginput_complex ginput_container ginput_container_email gform-grid-row' id='input_27_2_container'>\n                                <span id='input_27_2_1_container' class='ginput_left gform-grid-col gform-grid-col--size-auto'>\n                                    <label for='input_27_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-sub '>Enter email<\/label>\n                                    <input class='' type='email' name='input_2' id='input_27_2' value=''    aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                                <\/span>\n                                <span id='input_27_2_2_container' class='ginput_right gform-grid-col gform-grid-col--size-auto'>\n                                    <label for='input_27_2_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-sub '>Confirm email<\/label>\n                                    <input class='' type='email' name='input_2_2' id='input_27_2_2' value=''    aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                                <\/span>\n                                <div class='gf_clear gf_clear_complex'><\/div>\n                            <\/div><\/fieldset><div id=\"field_27_5\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-phone gfield--input-type-phone field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_27_5'>Your phone number<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_phone'><input name='input_5' id='input_27_5' type='tel' value='' class='medium'    aria-invalid=\"false\"  autocomplete=\"tel\" \/><\/div><\/div><fieldset id=\"field_27_33\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-checkbox gfield--type-choice gfield--input-type-checkbox gfield--width-half field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label gfield_label_before_complex' >Preferred contact method<\/legend><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_27_33'>Please let us know how best to reach you; we will use email if no alternative is selected.<\/div><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_checkbox'><div class='gfield_checkbox ' id='input_27_33'><div class='gchoice gchoice_27_33_1'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input class='gfield-choice-input' name='input_33.1' type='checkbox'  value='Email'  id='choice_27_33_1'   aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_27_33\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_27_33_1' id='label_27_33_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Email<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class='gchoice gchoice_27_33_2'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input class='gfield-choice-input' name='input_33.2' type='checkbox'  value='Text message'  id='choice_27_33_2'   \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_27_33_2' id='label_27_33_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Text message<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class='gchoice gchoice_27_33_3'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input class='gfield-choice-input' name='input_33.3' type='checkbox'  value='Phone call'  id='choice_27_33_3'   \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_27_33_3' id='label_27_33_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Phone call<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><div id=\"field_27_12\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-select gfield--input-type-select gfield--width-half field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_27_12'>Best time to reach you (all times ET)<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_select'><select name='input_12' id='input_27_12' class='medium gfield_select'     aria-invalid=\"false\" ><option value='' selected='selected' class='gf_placeholder'>Select a time<\/option><option value='morning' >8 a.m.\u201312 p.m.<\/option><option value='afternoon' >12 p.m.\u20134 p.m.<\/option><option value='evening' >4 p.m.\u20138 p.m.<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_27_31\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-section gfield--input-type-section gsection 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