Healthcare Price Transparency - What the Rules Give You
Federal rules now force hospitals and insurers to publish prices. Here is how to use them to compare costs before you get care.
Written by FairVisitHealth Editorial Team · Healthcare Pricing Analysts
Medically & editorially reviewed by the FairVisitHealth Clinical Team (Clinical & Billing Review). Data sourced from CMS, HRSA, and hospital price transparency filings.
The Price Transparency Revolution
Since 2021, the CMS Hospital Price Transparency rule has required hospitals to publish their standard charges, including cash prices. Since 2023, the Transparency in Coverage rule has required insurers to publish negotiated rates and provide cost estimates. For the first time, the price is knowable before the appointment.
Where the Spread Is Widest
Imaging: the same scan can differ several times over inside one city. Lab work: a basic blood panel runs anywhere from $25 to $500. Surgery: ASCs price below hospital outpatient departments. Prescriptions: the same drug swings sharply between pharmacies on the same street.
How to Compare
Use FairVisitHealth.com to search by procedure and location. Request Good Faith Estimates. Ask for self-pay cash rates. Compare at least 3 providers before scheduling.
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