The Trump administration recently announced that, in an act of transparency, hospitals must openly post online a database specifically detailing the exact cost for a specific medical procedure, effective January 1. NBC News reported that the idea is to let patients know what the final cost will be once they are admitted to a hospital.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found, in the last 12 months, 39% of insured adults ages 18 to 64 said they received an unexpected medical bill after receiving treatment. In a followup poll asking respondents how much the bill was for, half said it was less than $500, sixteen percent said it was between $500 and $999, twelve percent said it was $1,000 to $1,999, and 13% said the bill was for $2,000 or more.
Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, acknowledged in a blog that, although many improvements have been made, in terms of access and readability of hospital charges, making it easier for patients to understand, there is still more work to do. “We know this is just a first step, and we have actively sought input on how we can make this data easier for patients to use.”
It is important that hospitals and health care facilities provide the most transparent pricing available for the patients. However, many health insurance providers may increase their prices, resulting in audits and legal action. It is essential for healthcare businesses to implement policies and procedures that will deter health care providers from engaging in illegal billing procedures. This, in turn, will minimize the audit risks, as well as any possible litigation. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call the New York health care lawyers at Blodnick, Fazio & Clark at (516) 280-7105.
