Why can’t you find out how much your surgery will cost?

Most of us would like to know how much a medical test or surgical procedure is going to cost before it’s done. Unfortunately, that kind of information is difficult, if not impossible, to find.

Consider what’s happening in Ohio. The state Legislature passed one of the most stringent health care cost transparency laws in the country two years ago. It required doctors, hospitals and other health care providers to give a “good faith” estimate of what non-emergency services would cost patients before they received treatment.

How is it working?

It’s not.

The Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio State Medical Association and a bevy of other physician and professional medical groups have gone to court to block the law from taking effect, Kaiser Health news reports.

“The health care industry has a lot of political power and lots of money. It’s hard to fight on behalf of people against this kind of force,” said Ohio State Rep. Jim Butler, a Republican who championed the law.

Several states have passed laws in recent years requiring hospitals to be more transparent about costs. (Oregon recently released its 2015 hospital payment report). However consumer advocates say the cost information available is often out-of-date, incomplete or buried online.

So what options do patients and their families have? The Official U.S. Site for Medicare features a hospital “compare” website. Your health insurance company can also be a good resource.

Have you tried to find out the cost of a medical treatment or service? How did it go? Share your story.