Oregon hospitals group proposes 'price transparency' initiative

The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, which represents all of Oregon's community hospitals, has announced a new "price transparency" initiative. The initiative has three key elements, all of which focus on giving consumers pricing details in advance of a visit to a hospital for a procedure. The elements include proposed legislation (Senate Bill 900) that would establish a new state-run website displaying median prices paid for procedures at hospitals; tools for hospitals to provide good-faith estimates to self-pay and out-of-network patients; and a pledge to work with insurers to help insured patients understand their out-of-pocket expenses for care.