Minnesota Senate Bill SF2285

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/1/23
• Refer: 3/1/23

Caption

Health care providers permission to establish and make available to the public retail price for bundles of elective medical services

Impact

The intended impact of SF2285 is twofold: increasing transparency in health care pricing and reducing unexpected costs that patients may face when seeking elective procedures. By requiring providers that offer a significant number of elective services to publish their prices, patients can better compare options across different facilities. Additionally, this bill binds providers to the disclosed prices when a patient agrees to them, ensuring that patients are not surprised by additional costs post-service. This change could potentially alter the competitive landscape within the health care market, encouraging price competition among providers.

Summary

SF2285 proposes significant changes regarding the pricing of elective medical services in the state. It allows health care providers to publicly disclose retail prices for bundles of elective services, thereby aiming to enhance price transparency for patients. By mandating that providers make these prices available online and in physical locations, the bill seeks to empower consumers with information that can aid in decision-making and ensure they understand the costs associated with their medical care in advance. The definitions included clarify what constitutes a 'bundle of elective medical services' and set rules around how these prices must be presented to the public.

Contention

While the bill aims to improve transparency, there are concerns about its effectiveness and practicality. Some stakeholders worry that simply publishing prices may not address the complexities of healthcare pricing, where additional services and unexpected complications can lead to higher costs than those publicly listed. There's also the potential for backlash against providers who might be restrained from negotiating prices or who fear repercussions from insurers for disclosing certain pricing information. Furthermore, the bill prohibits retaliation against providers who disclose price information, yet some argue that this may not fully protect providers from potential repercussions in practice.

Notable_points

Notably, the bill does not mandate all providers to disclose pricing; it primarily targets those providing a substantial volume of elective services. This can lead to discrepancies in how information is shared within the healthcare community, as smaller providers may choose not to participate in price disclosures. Overall, while the initiative to promote transparency in healthcare pricing is commendable, its implementation will be critical to ensure it successfully meets the needs of consumers without imposing undue burdens on health care providers.