Many US Hospitals Ignore Price Transparency Rule

Recent reports indicate that compliance with hospital price transparency regulations has significantly declined, making it harder for patients to access meaningful cost data. A study revealed that only 21% of hospitals were fully compliant with federal requirements, down from 34.5% earlier this year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 46% of hospitals failed to meet various compliance standards between January 2021 and June 2022. These regulations, aimed at helping consumers avoid surprise bills and compare prices, are not being properly enforced, with only 15 hospitals penalized for noncompliance since the rules took effect. The lack of adherence to price transparency is detrimental to patients, perpetuating opaque billing practices that contribute to medical debt. Experts emphasize the need for better enforcement to ensure hospitals fulfill their obligations under the law.