KERN HOSPITALS STRIVE TO COMPLY WITH PRICE RULE

Kern County hospitals are rolling out new pricing information, behind schedule for the most part, as part of a federal push to give prospective inpatients a better look at estimated charges for standard services.

A rule that took effect Jan. 1 requires hospitals to post estimates of how much they charge different parties, including insurers, for at least 300 medical procedures.

Some hospitals are further along than others and compliance levels aren’t where they should be, not just locally but across the country. Representatives of several local medical centers acknowledged there’s work to do and promised more consumer information will be made available soon, and in a more convenient way.

The Trump administration championed the disclosures, in spite of legal challenges by the hospital industry, to make prices more transparent so consumers and employers can make better-informed, value-conscious decisions. Insurers may benefit as well, and many expect the rule will help drive down prices.

Hospitals are supposed to post on their websites consumer-facing and machine-readable prices including cash discounts and highest and lowest rates paid to contracted health plans. One day soon that data may allow

consumers to compare easily understandable hospital data with a few taps on their smartphone.

Adventist Health, owner of three hospitals in Kern, said on July 30 it will introduce a patient-friendly price transparency tool allowing consumers to browse for 300 hospital services “in the same way they shop for goods and services online.” The online platform will include a price estimator showing patients’ out-of-pocket costs.

“At Adventist Health, we are committed to helping our patients make informed decisions about their health care,” spokeswoman Megan Simpson said by email.