Janice Hernandez, 25, known as @JaniceHeartss on TikTok, is facing an overwhelming challenge after her baby was born in late October with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The rare genetic disorder affects muscle tone, appetite, behavior, and development, often leading to an insatiable hunger and other lifelong complications.
On top of adjusting to her baby's diagnosis, Hernandez was hit with a jaw-dropping medical bill after her child spent seven weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). She shared her shock in a viral TikTok video with over 3.5 million views.
“I just got the bill for my daughter’s NICU stay,” she said. “Do you guys want to know how much it is? $738,360 freaking dollars. Almost a million.”
The Price of Care
As Hernandez combed through the itemized charges, she noticed staggering prices for basic supplies and services.
“For example, they gave me a tiny tube of Aquaphor. I thought the nurse was just being nice—turns out, they charged me $25 for it,” she said.
Another shocking charge? The cost of transferring her baby between hospital rooms. “Every time they switched her room, they charged $4,337,” she revealed in a follow-up video.
The Reality of Medical Debt in the U.S.
Hernandez’s experience resonated with many Americans who have faced similar financial burdens. Medical debt is a widespread issue in the U.S., with a 2021 study estimating that Americans owe at least $220 billion. Around 14 million people (6% of adults) have at least $1,000 in medical debt, while 3 million (1%) owe over $10,000.
Commenters on her video shared their own staggering hospital bills.
- “Our daughter was in the NICU for three weeks, and our bill was $147K,” wrote one user.
- “My son was in the NICU for 4.5 months before he passed. Our bill? $6 million,” another shared.
- “They charged me $2,500 a night for a nursery my baby never even used. And they didn’t even have a nursery.”
Meanwhile, people from countries with universal healthcare were baffled by the cost.
- “In Saudi Arabia, all medical bills are covered by the government.”
- “As a Canadian, I cannot wrap my head around this.”
- “What happens if you can’t pay? Do you just not get treated?”
Insurance Uncertainty
In another update, Hernandez revealed that her insurance initially agreed to cover $442,291.75 of the $739,416 bill, leaving her with a balance of over $302,000. However, she’s still waiting for a final decision.
“They don’t know if they’re going to cover it yet,” she explained. “It literally says ‘pending’ or ‘not payable.’ Some charges need more review or aren’t covered.”
Hernandez, like many others, is left navigating the complex and often unpredictable world of medical billing in the U.S.—one where even life-saving care can come with a devastating financial burden.