Report: Majority of Oregon hospitals aren’t following price transparency law

A recent report by PatientRightsAdvocate.org on the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule revealed that a whopping 68% of Oregon hospitals aren’t following the law.

The rule, designed to empower consumers, requires all U.S. hospitals to provide clear and accessible pricing information online before patients receive any services. The goal? To make it easier for us to compare prices and estimate costs before making important health care decisions.

According to the advocacy group, of the 19 hospitals reviewed in Oregon, just six are fully complying with the rule. Not so impressive.

 The organization found that the following hospitals are doing their part when it comes to cost transparency: Adventist Health Tillamook, CHI Saint Anthony Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center, OHSU Hospital, and Willamette Valley Medical Center.

The eight hospitals in Oregon owned by Providence Health & Services were found to be out of compliance. In response, Providence released a statement stating, “price transparency is essential to improving health care in the U.S.”

Providence says it has posted a complete master charge list and even launched an online price estimator for the top 300 shoppable services.

“Providence supports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ overall intent to increase transparency for consumers,” the health system said in a statement.

What do you think? Should hospitals be more transparent when it comes to pricing? Have you sought cost information before seeking treatment? Share your thoughts with Voices for Affordable Health.