In a recent decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the AHA lost its bid to avoid having to disclose rates hospitals negotiate with insurers. While an appeal is expected, this is a win for the administration, which is committed to providing patients with understandable information about the cost of medical services.
The rule approved last year required hospitals to post a list of standard charges and rates they charge for diagnostic-related groups (DRGs). These charges were, however, posted as “chargemaster rates” – a format that meant little to the general public. By requiring that hospitals post median prices negotiated with commercial health insurers, CMS believes that providers will be forced to compete on price and that consumers will be better able to make informed choices.
In other developments, the Trump administration was stopped from requiring that drug companies disclose prices in their TV commercials. The President also brokered an agreement with drug companies and insurers to limit Medicare recipients’ copays on insulin to $35 a month. This will go into effect in 2021.
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