Patients struggle finding medical costs in advance

@@facebook=

@@

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found it’s often tough for consumers to access meaningful price information prior to receiving surgeries and procedures.

Many have no idea what a procedure will cost them — and their health insurance company or the government — until the bills arrive in the mail.

Our reporters examined this subject and gathered data to gain insight into the overall cost of procedures.

This exclusive story will not be published on our free website. Our most important coverage is only available to subscribers to our newspaper or our iPad application.

Subscribers can view a digital rendering of Sunday's newspaper here.

Find out more about our iPad app, free for a limited time.