Modern Healthcare on a new North Carolina law, which will require hospitals to “shine a light on the actual prices paid by Medicare, Medicaid and the uninsured, as well as the average and range of prices paid by the top five insurers.”
“ ‘For too long, North Carolina patients have been in the dark on what they can expect to pay for common medical procedures when they are admitted to a hospital,’ [Gov. Pat] McCrory said in a news release. ‘This new law gives patients and their doctors pricing information so they can make an informed financial decision with regard to their healthcare.’
“North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, a Democrat, also praised the bill for helping ‘people who are struggling with incomprehensible medical bills and unreasonable collection practices’ and for requiring facilities to post their charity and financial assistance polices.
“ ‘We recommend that consumers shop around for a good deal, but our healthcare system doesn’t make that easy to do,” Cooper said in a news release. “Giving consumers straightforward information on what medical services cost and what they owe will help them make better decisions about their healthcare.”
“The North Carolina Hospital Association was less enthusiastic.” Andis Robeznieks, North Carolina to post prices of hospital procedures, services | Modern Healthcare. (registration required)
