A national advocacy organization has published its seventh semi-annual hospital price transparency report, and a Northwest Indiana health system has three hospitals included.
PatientRightsAdvocate.org is a nonprofit organization focused on systemwide health care price transparency, according to its website.
The Hospital Price Transparency rule came into effect on Jan. 1, 2021, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ website. Hospitals are required to post accessible pricing information online as either a machine-readable file with all items and services or in a display of shoppable services in a consumer-friendly format.
Ilaria Santangeloi, PRA’s director of research, said that the organization looks at 2,000 hospitals that are part of the largest 30 health systems nationwide.
“One poll shows that 60% of Americans delay care due to fear of financial ruin,” Santangeloi said. “Over half the county doesn’t even have $400 in their savings account for anything, let alone a surprise medical bill. That’s why prices are so important.”
About 21% of hospitals reviewed were found to be fully compliant, according to a news release from PRA. Five of the 45 Indiana hospitals were found to be fully compliant.
“Unfortunately, our seventh Hospital Price Transparency Compliance Report reveals that after nearly four years, the overwhelming majority of hospitals reviewed are still not complying with the rule requiring them to publish their discounted cash prices and all negotiated rates,” PRA Founder and Chairman Cynthia Fisher said in a news release. “By keeping their prices hidden, hospitals continue to block American consumers from their right to compare prices and protect themselves from overcharges.”
Northwest Health’s Porter, La Porte and Starke hospitals were among the 45 Indiana hospitals that were included on the report. Northwest Health’s parent company is Community Health Systems, a Tennessee-based company that includes 69 hospitals in 15 states.
The Porter and Starke hospitals were the only of the three that were found to be fully complying, according to PatientRightsAdvocate.org. Northwest Health’s La Porte hospital is noncompliant because the readable file doesn’t conform to requirements, Santangeloi said. She added that the issue is a “relatively easy fix” for the health system.
“We are committed to price transparency efforts that help patients get the care they need and understand their financial responsibility and payment options,” Kelly Credit, spokeswoman for Northwest Health, said in an email. “Several years ago, we put resources in place to further this goal.”
The health system has a price estimator tool for patients available online and personalized estimates from its patient access staff, Credit added.
“Speaking to a member of our patient access team will provide the most accurate estimate as well as information about payment options,” Credit said.
