As explained in this August 2 press release, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week released a final rule on Medicare reimbursement for hospitals and other facilities. The rule also includes provisions intended to increase the transparency of hospital charges in order to prevent “surprise medical bills.” Under current regulations, hospitals are required to make public a list of their standard charges. Effective January 1, 2019, the new rule will require hospitals to make public a list of their standard charges via the Internet in a machine readable format, and to update this information at least annually, or more often as appropriate. When it published its proposed rule, CMS also requested information from providers and the public about barriers to greater transparency and how to overcome them. In its Aug. 2 press release, the administration states that it will consider the information and suggestions for future rulemaking. See New Trump Administration Rule Will Require Hospitals Post Prices Online (The Hill, 8/3/18).
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