Fifteen hospitals and health systems are honored for meeting federal price transparency regulations by disclosing comprehensive machine-readable files. The Price Transparency Champion Award, introduced by PatientRightsAdvocate.org, applauds their commitment. Notable officials are also recognized. However, only 36% of evaluated hospitals fully comply with the rule, as revealed in the recent Semi-Annual Hospital Price Transparency Compliance Report. Stricter deadlines for corrective action plans could result in more penalties for noncompliance.
Fifteen distinguished hospitals and health systems have been commended for their adherence to federal price transparency regulations. These institutions have demonstrated compliance by disclosing comprehensive machine-readable files containing standardized charges.
The Price Transparency Champion Award, initiated by PatientRightsAdvocate.org, celebrates hospitals, health systems, and public officials who have exemplified a strong commitment to upholding price transparency mandates.
Under the price transparency rule, hospitals are obligated to publicly present the costs of medical items and services on their official websites. The information must be presented in a solitary, machine-readable digital document encompassing gross fees, discounted cash rates, and charges negotiated with specific payers. Additionally, hospitals must display standard charges for a minimum of 300 services that can be readily compared by consumers.
Cynthia Fisher, the founder and chairperson of PatientRightsAdvocate.org, expressed her congratulations and appreciation, stating, “I commend each awardee across the nation for their efforts in advancing substantial price transparency for patients and healthcare recipients.”
Fisher emphasized the importance of recognizing those at the forefront of healthcare price transparency advocacy, emphasizing its role in fostering a healthcare environment that is accessible, impartial, and reasonably priced for all Americans.
The esteemed recipients in the hospital and hospital system categories have admirably embraced price transparency by conforming to regulations and, in several cases, enhancing their compliance significantly:
Hospitals:
– Best-in-Class: Rush University Medical Center – Chicago, IL
– Baton Rouge General – Mid City – Baton Rouge, LA
– Grandview Medical Center – Birmingham, AL
– Mercy Hospital Downtown Bakersfield – Bakersfield, CA
– MetroHealth Medical Center – Cleveland, OH
– Pullman Regional Hospital – Pullman, WA
– Ridgeview Medical Center – Waconia, MN
– Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick – New Brunswick, NJ
– Saint Tammany Parish Hospital – Covington, LA
– UW Health University Hospital – Madison, WI
Hospital Systems:
– Kaiser Permanente – Oakland, CA (98% compliance)
– Community Health Systems – Franklin, TN (97% compliance)
– Universal Health Services – King of Prussia, PA (92% compliance)
– CommonSpirit Health – Chicago, IL (88% compliance)
– LifePoint Health – Brentwood, TN (83% compliance)
Elected officials were also acknowledged for their leadership in enhancing healthcare price transparency, both on the state and federal levels. The following officials were recognized:
– U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Fifth District of Washington
– U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Sixth District of New Jersey
– Governor Jared Polis, Colorado
In its recent Semi-Annual Hospital Price Transparency Compliance Report, PatientRightsAdvocate.org unveiled that merely 36 percent of the 2,000 evaluated hospitals fully complied with the price transparency rule. A significant 64 percent of the reviewed hospitals did not provide a complete machine-readable file of standard charges. Additionally, 39 percent did not adequately display negotiated charges associated with each third-party payer and plan.
As of April 2023, only four hospitals have incurred civil monetary penalties from CMS due to noncompliance with the rule. However, the agency plans to enforce stricter deadlines for hospitals to finalize corrective action plans, potentially leading to more penalties.
