Pennsylvania Addressing Hospital Price Transparency
This summer, a Pennsylvania bill passed through the state House that would increase hospital price transparency. The bill would require all healthcare facilities to post a publicly viewable list of standard charges.
The measure, House Bill 2339, received wide bipartisan support, signaling a need for accountability in the healthcare industry. Vulnerable patients are too often left in the dark when it comes to predicting the cost of essential medical care. In some cases, prices can vary by more than 10 times for the same treatment at the very same hospital. Check out our blog from last year detailing overpriced medical care can be in some cases.
Knowledge Benefits Consumers
Should the state sign HB 2339 into law, it would affirm that all Pennsylvanians have the right to compare health care providers and their prices to make informed decisions about their health. Patients simply prefer to know what they can expect to pay for prescriptions, procedures or exams before they undergo treatment. After all, no one wants to be surprised with sticker shock at the checkout counter. This is one way that the government can truly advocate for its constituents.
Once patients know what different procedures cost at different hospitals, they can choose where to go. They can then factor cost into their medical decisions and make the decision that fits best for their family. It will also force hospitals to compete on price, lowering the costs for consumers overall.
How Does Solidarity Address Price Transparency?
At Solidarity, we want to arm our Members with the price information they need in order to make informed decisions. Our team can help direct you to providers with great prices for their procedures, and help you figure out what is a fair and reasonable price for the service. Give us a call and ask about our Care Navigation service!
Through our Member Care Portal, every Member can see exactly how their shared dollars are distributed each month. When providers overcharge for services, our bill adjudication team reviews those charges, and reprices them according to our Reference Based Pricing model. This holds providers accountable to charge fair prices, while also stretching our community’s sharing power as far as possible.
Join the Movement
Affordable healthcare is achievable! Starting as low as just $85 for a Single Membership and $512 for a Family Membership, Members who join the Solidarity Community receive care that is 6% more affordable than other health care sharing ministries and more than 60% more affordable than traditional health insurance. To learn more about how to get the most out of your Solidarity Membership or to join our likeminded community of patients, click the banner below!
