Senate bill would officially codify price transparency in radiology, other hospital services
Senate Republicans have officially introduced legislation that would codify a price transparency rule with big implications for the imaging industry.
Led by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, their PRICE Transparency Act comes after a judge recently struck down an industry challenge to the new rule, set to take effect in January 2021.
As spelled out back in November, the rule, if implemented, would require hospitals to provide upfront pricing for 13 “shoppable” radiology services that can be scheduled in advance. Those include MRI scans of leg joints, x-rays of the lower back with at least four views, and CT imaging of the pelvis with contrast.
Grassley and colleagues said they expect hospital lobbyists to mount further courtroom fights against price transparency, according to a statement. But they believe their proposal will “effectively codify these rules and overcome the court challenges.”
“Americans often leave their healthcare visits frustrated not knowing what price to expect on the bill,” said cosponsor and Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. “But for many procedures, if you can know the cost beforehand, you can choose the hospital that fits your needs. The administration issued these no-nonsense healthcare price transparency rules. I am glad that our legislation would help cement them so patients can stay informed about the real cost of their treatment before they receive the care they need.”
The White House released a second rule back in November that would also require pricing openness from health insurers, which Grassley’s bill also addresses. You can read the entire 331-page final rule from November here, along with a shorter fact sheet about the changes here.
Industry watchers anticipate that legislators may incorporate the PRICE Transparency Act in the next COVID-19 stimulus package.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.