In 2001, the federal Department of Health and Human Services required all hospitals to post the prices they charge patients for services. Many, but not all, hospitals have complied with this rule. Still, finding the actual prices that hospitals charge for 300 non-urgent (called “shoppable”) services is challenging if not impossible for most consumers.
That allows journalists to empower consumers by finding and publishing hospital price information and to ensure that hospitals are complying with the now four-year-old federal rule.
During this AHCJ webinar, journalists will learn to gather price information from hospitals and compare prices among multiple hospitals. You’ll hear from a Colorado journalist who put transparency to the test when she was expecting a baby and learn from two experts about tools and resources you can use to find prices.
You’ll walk away with the ability to find out what hospitals charge, including what health insurers will pay hospitals and what consumers can expect to pay out of pocket for each service.