A comprehensive analysis by a patient advocacy group has exposed significant gaps in hospital price disclosure, with only a small fraction of Maryland medical facilities complying with federal transparency regulations.
The study, conducted by Patients Rights Advocate (PRA), found that a mere 11% of hospitals in the state are meeting federal requirements for price transparency implemented in 2021. This revelation highlights ongoing challenges in medical pricing practices that directly impact patient costs.
Cynthia Fisher, PRA’s founder, illustrated the stark pricing disparities through concrete examples. “The market rate for a procedure like a colonoscopy should typically range between $700 and $1,200,” Fisher explained. “However, we’re seeing patients billed up to $14,000 for the same service.”
The transparency law, initially established during the Trump administration and subsequently strengthened under the Biden administration, was designed to provide patients with clear, upfront pricing information. Despite increased potential fines of up to $2 million for noncompliance, hospitals have largely continued to obscure their pricing structures.
Major healthcare systems in Maryland, including Johns Hopkins, MedStar Health, and the University of Maryland Medical System, were found to be largely non-compliant with the transparency requirements. Only two Trinity Health Hospitals passed the organization’s comprehensive review.
The report uncovered dramatic pricing variations that raise serious questions about healthcare billing practices. Fisher highlighted one particularly striking example: “A normal childbirth could cost a patient as little as $600 or as much as $60,000 on the same day, with the same medical team and procedure code.”
Fisher advises patients to take proactive steps to protect themselves:
The organization has made pricing information for over 6,000 hospitals nationwide available online, enabling patients to research and compare medical costs more effectively.
“This is more than just a pricing issue,” Fisher emphasized. “It’s about fundamental fairness and transparency in an industry that directly impacts people’s lives and financial well-being.”
Healthcare systems and regulatory bodies have yet to provide comprehensive responses to the findings. The report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in creating a more transparent and patient-friendly healthcare ecosystem.
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