About Price Transparency
Hospitals are dedicated to being transparent about pricing, so consumers are empowered to make informed health care decisions. Hospitals are required by law to provide clear, accessible pricing information on their websites about the care and services they provide. This information helps consumers compare prices among hospitals to understand what the cost of their care will be before going to the hospital. Hospitals stand ready to answer any questions patients may have about the cost of their care.
AHA Will Host Webinar on Hospital Price Transparency Requirements
What’s happening: The American Hospital Association (AHA) will host a members-only webinar on April 10 at noon (PT) to discuss new hospital price transparency machine-readable format requirements.
What else to know: CHA encourages AHA members to register.
CHA Continues Support for Medicaid DSH
What’s happening: Current funding legislation supported by CHA extends the delay in the implementation of pending Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts until March 8.
What else to know: On Jan. 18, the House and Senate passed legislation, known as a continuing resolution, to fund the federal government though March 1 for certain departments, and March 8 for others.
CHA Summary: Final Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Fees
What’s happening: CHA has issued a final rule summary of the finalized federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) administrative fee and entity fee ranges.
What else to know: The fees are effective Jan. 22.
Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Fees Finalized
What’s happening: The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury issued a final rule setting the No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution (IDR) fees.
What else to know: This was in response to an earlier court ruling that found the departments’ approach to setting the administrative fee was impermissible.
Independent Dispute Resolution Portal Reopened for All Disputes
What’s happening: On Dec. 15, the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury reopened the federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) portal for all dispute types.
What else to know: Dispute types include previously initiated batched disputes, new batched disputes, and new single disputes involving air ambulance services.
CHA Comments on Proposed Changes to Independent Dispute Resolution Process
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments in response to proposed changes to the No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution process.
What else to know: Comments were due Jan. 2.
FAQs Help Determine Appropriate Independent Dispute Resolution Batching
What’s Happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued two FAQs explaining appropriate batching for disputes in the independent dispute resolution (IDR) process.
What Else to Know: The FAQs are in response to the district court’s opinions and orders in TMA III and TMA IV.
Prepare to Display New Hospital Price Transparency Data in CMS Templates
What’s Happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released resources on the newly finalized price transparency machine readable file (MRF) requirements.
What Else to Know: Hospitals have until July 1, 2024, to comply.
Summary: Details of Final Outpatient Payment Rule
What’s Happening: A comprehensive summary of the finalized payment updates and policy changes to the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system for calendar year 2024 is available.
What Else to Know: The provisions are generally effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Independent Dispute Resolution Portal Reopening for Certain Disputes
What’s happening: The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury are reopening the independent dispute resolution (IDR) portal for all batched disputes and single air ambulance disputes.
What else to know: The portal has been closed since federal agencies suspended all IDR process operations in August to align with the district court’s opinions and orders in TMA III and TMA IV.