COURT RULES THAT HOSPITAL PRICE TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS CAN TAKE EFFECT

The Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) received a victory this week in the litigation challenging the agency’s final rule that requires hospitals to publicly disclose the prices they charge, as well as their specific reimbursement rates with third-party payers (“Price Transparency Rule”). The Price Transparency Rule is scheduled to go into effect on  January 1, 2021.The court’s decision comes amid calls from across the industry to delay the Price Transparency Rule’s effective date to allow hospitals, already burdened by COVID-19, more time to prepare for the arduous publication requirements. With the effective date only a few months away, however, this court victory, combined with indications HHS appears committed to the current timeframe, means hospitals must continue preparing to meet the requirements included in the Price Transparency Rule.  For more information please click on this link