Wisconsin health care consumers now have the right to ask for more information about the costs of care, under a state law that took effect this month. The health care transparency law requires hospitals to provide patients with information about the price tag of many common medical procedures.
Wisconsin Hospital Association Vice President Joe Kachelski says the law requires providers to have a list on hand of the 75 most common reasons for hospitalization and outpatient procedures, along with their median charge for service. The law also allows patients to ask their insurance carrier what their possible out of pocket costs may end up being.
Kachelski says it will help patients gain a better understanding about the potential cost of receiving care in the state, and it should be most useful to those with limited health insurance coverage or plans with high deductibles. He says it can also help patients shop around for health care savings between different providers.
WHA helped members across the state compile the information, so it can be readily accessible when patients make a request.