Everything from the cost of toilet paper, (if it isn’t free), to blood thinners and telephone service has to be revealed.
No more guessing. As of January 1st, 2019 all hospitals across the United States are being required to post the price of every item and service they provide, online.
It’s a new federal rule that was originally introduced to the nation as part of the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
So, it’s may feel like a good time to do some post-holiday comparison shopping. Which would normally be a good idea. It’s true that everything and anything you may be required to pay for during a hospital stay, from prescription drugs to slings, TV service, that new heart valve and anesthesia will need to be included on the list. The trouble is that it still could remain unclear exactly how much you’ll be required to pay for anything.
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According to recent news reports, many hospitals are saying the prices they post will not reflect any actual costs at all. Everything depends on what they can negotiate with insurance companies.
Solid point? In response to this, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has indicated that hospitals are welcome to provide as much information as they can. Anything that can help members of the public make their healthcare decisions is portable. Including an estimated guess as to how much people will really pay for things, in the end.
How friendly will the market be? Only time will tell. All we can say is this: no one ever said a little transparency hurt, (unless it was too much, sitting in an evening dress).
