Patients at the Medical Center of South Arkansas can now find the hospital’s financial information online, as part of a new federal law requiring all U.S. hospitals to share a complete price list on their websites.
The requirement made by Medicare went into effect Jan. 1 and requires hospitals to post their standard prices online, bringing more transparency from the hospitals to the public.
According to a press release from MCSA, patients can find the financial information under the Patient and Visitor section of their website. The list includes prices for over 2,500 items.
“We know that quality, affordable healthcare is important to our patients,” a press release from MCSA stated. “Our goal is — and always has been — to help patients get the care they need and we want them to understand their financial responsibility and the payment options.”
The release stated that MCSA has resources available to help patients understand their financial responsibility, including insurance required co-pays and deductibles. They accept most insurance available in the community, “which will generally determine a patient’s out-of-pocket payment that is far less than standard charges,” the release said.
“Patients want to know how much they personally will pay out of pocket, which is something a list of charges doesn’t tell them,” the release stated. “It is a difficult issue for patients and providers because hospitals are paid different amounts by different payors and because hospitals can’t know in advance the exact cost of care in a hospital setting — especially for complex cases.”
For patients who have no insurance, carry out-of-network insurance or who receive services their insurance does not cover, MCSA offers a variety of financial assistance programs including charity care, prompt pay discounts and self-pay discounts for uninsured individuals.
“Standard charges almost never reflect a patient’s actual out-of-pocket payment or represent what the hospital is actually paid in most circumstances,” the release said. “For these reasons, standard charge information doesn’t allow an opportunity for meaningful comparison among providers about a patient’s out-of-pocket payment.”
To obtain a personalized estimate for services, patients can visit the Patient Access Department or call a member of MCSA’s team at 870-875-6210, Monday through Friday.
Patients can see a full list of MCSA’s prices under the Patients and Visitors section of their website and by clicking on financial information then pricing information.
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or krigdon@ eldoradonews.com.