Relating to the disclosure of prices charged for certain health services rendered by health care providers and hospitals

This bill relates to the disclosure of prices charged by health care providers (providers) and hospitals for certain health services (services). The bill requires a provider to disclose and make available to the public in a single document, either electronically or by posting conspicuously on the provider’s internet site, the prices charged, prior to the negotiation of any discounts and assuming no medical complications, for the most common services the provider renders. The services are to be identified by a common nationally recognized coding system and by a plain language description, and the provider is required to update the price information at least annually. The bill requires hospitals to disclose and make available to the public in a single document, either electronically or by posting conspicuously on the hospital’s internet site, the prices charged, prior to the negotiation of any discounts and assuming no medical complications, for the most common inpatient and the most common outpatient services, as grouped by a Medicare diagnosis-related group, rendered by the hospital. The price information is required to be updated on a quarterly basis. The bill provides that the price information disclosed shall include a disclaimer as detailed in the bill. providers and hospitals, specifically including those required under the federal Affordable Care Act regarding the publicizing of standard hospital charges.