California drafts rules to regulate emergency room payments

By Kari Kemper, Provider Advantage

The attached article from the LA Times is an excellent example of how confusing the billing process is for patients.  Patients need to know up front (and will eventually expect financial information) the allowable amount for their medical services including carve-out charges that are not in the payers contract with the hospital.  Facility and physician components are required in pricing estimation to educate the patient with a clear view of their out-of-pocket financial responsibility regardless of the hospitals relationship with outsourced physicians and payers. 

California drafts rules to regulate emergency room payments - LA Times