Ohio Hospitals Must Disclose Prices Under New Law
Ohio Hospitals Face New Mandate: Publish Prices for Medical Services
Columbus, Ohio – In a move aimed at increasing transparency and empowering patients, ohio lawmakers have approved legislation requiring hospitals to publicly disclose the cost of their services. The bill,passed Wednesday,mandates hospitals to publish a extensive list of standard charges,both with and without insurance coverage.
This groundbreaking legislation also requires hospitals to publish the cost for at least 300 “shoppable” services, encompassing procedures like surgeries and other non-urgent care that can be scheduled in advance. Hospitals that prefer not to list prices for these services can offer an online price estimator tool instead.Importantly, hospitals will be prohibited from selling patient data obtained through the estimator or using it for targeted advertising.
“We’re actually going to be guaranteed price lists, and those price lists are going to allow people to shop,” said Rep. Ron Ferguson,R-Wintersville,a key proponent of the bill. ”Being able to shop increases competition, should increase quality, should lower prices and ultimately should just serve the people of Ohio.”
The bill’s passage follows months of debate between House and Senate lawmakers over the best approach to hospital price transparency. The initial version included provisions protecting patients from medical debt and allowed them to file complaints against hospitals. While the final version resembles federal requirements, a recent report found that only 21% of hospitals nationwide are fully compliant.
However, Ferguson emphasized that Ohio’s policy carries more weight. The ohio Department of Health will be required to fine hospitals that violate the law and publicly list those that fail to comply.
The Ohio Hospital Association issued a statement expressing their commitment to providing patients with information to aid in healthcare decision-making.
The bill now awaits Governor Mike DeWine’s signature.Cynthia Fisher, founder of PatientRightsAdvocate.org,urged DeWine to sign the bill,highlighting its potential to make Ohio the frist state in the nation to require hospitals to publish upfront prices in dollars and cents.
“By passing this strong price transparency bill, Ohio legislators ignored special interests and stood up for Ohio health care consumers who for too long have been blinded to prices and forced to pay for care with a blank check,” Fisher said.
Shining a Light on Healthcare Costs: An Interview with Cynthia Fisher on Ohio’s New Price Transparency Law
NewsDirect3.com: Cynthia Fisher, founder of PatientRightsAdvocate.org,joins us today to discuss Ohio’s groundbreaking new legislation requiring hospitals to publish the prices of their medical services. Welcome, cynthia.
Cynthia Fisher: Thank you for having me.
NewsDirect3.com: Ohio’s bill mandates hospitals to publicly disclose a complete list of standard charges, both with and without insurance coverage. What does this mean for Ohio residents?
Cynthia Fisher: This is a monumental step towards empowering Ohioans to make informed decisions about their healthcare. For too long, patients have been left in the dark about the true cost of medical procedures. This law finally sheds light on those hidden prices, allowing individuals to shop around for the best value and perhaps saving themselves thousands of dollars.
NewsDirect3.com: The law also requires hospitals to publish the prices for at least 300 “shoppable” services. Could you elaborate on what these services are and why they are especially vital to highlight?
Cynthia Fisher: “Shoppable” services are those that can be scheduled in advance, such as surgeries, diagnostic imaging, and certain outpatient procedures. By requiring price transparency for these specific services, the bill empowers patients to compare costs among different hospitals and make informed choices about their care, much like they would when purchasing any other product or service.
NewsDirect3.com: this legislation faced some debate before its final passage. What were some of the key concerns raised, and how were they addressed in the final bill?
Cynthia Fisher:
While some argued for provisions against medical debt and patient complaint mechanisms, the final version focuses strongly on price transparency, aligning with federal requirements. Importantly, Ohio’s law goes a step further by empowering the state Department of Health to fine non-compliant hospitals and publicly list those who violate the law.
NewsDirect3.com: You’ve been a strong advocate for price transparency in healthcare. What makes Ohio’s approach meaningful on a national level?
Cynthia Fisher: Ohio has the potential to become the first state in the nation to require hospitals to publish upfront prices in dollars and cents. This level of detail is crucial for patients to truly understand the cost of their care and make meaningful comparisons. This sets a powerful example for other states to follow and could be a catalyst for nationwide change in healthcare pricing practices.
NewsDirect3.com: What message do you have for governor DeWine as he considers signing this bill into law?
Cynthia Fisher: I urge Governor DeWine to sign this strong price transparency bill. By doing so, he will send a clear message that Ohio is committed to protecting its citizens from opaque healthcare pricing and empowering them to take control of their healthcare decisions. This is a win for patients, a win for competition, and a win for the future of healthcare in Ohio.