Explainer: How Do I Make Sense Of My Medical Bill?

Arlington TX

20 October, 2021

7:16 PM

Description

By Alexis Allison, Fort Worth Report October 20, 2021 Among the more than 600 new laws that took effect in Texas Sept. 1, at least two related specifically to price transparency for medical services. One new law requires some freestanding emergency medical facilities to disclose the price of a test or vaccine to patients. The requirement came after complaints that some people received "exorbitant medical bills after obtaining a COVID-19 test," according to the House Research Organization's analysis for the bill. The other codified into state law a national price transparency rule that took effect in January. According to the rule, hospitals across the country are required to provide pricing information about their services online. The information must be "publicly available, free of charge and presented in a consumer-friendly display," according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The state version of the rule ensures that transparency will continue in Texas if the national rule shifts or is repealed, according to the statement of intent for the bill. To read the full article, click here. Fort Worth Report is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that produces factual, in-depth journalism about city and county government, schools, healthcare, business, and arts and culture in Tarrant County. Always free to read; subscribe to newsletters, read coverage or support our newsroom at fortworthreport.org.