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HCA hospitals now on the forefront of transparency movement

Patient Financial Services Weekly Advisor, March 16, 2007

The nation's largest hospital chain will soon notify patients in advance how much they will pay for services, reports the Tennessean.

HCA Inc. first conducted a successful trial in October 2006 at 10 Dallas-area hospitals and plans to start posting prices at its 13 hospitals in Tennessee this spring. The hospital giant plans to use the program at most of its 165 hospitals by mid-summer.

HCA's program recognizes trends in consumer-driven healthcare, such as high-deductible plans and health savings accounts, which require people to pay more out of pocket.

This move is consistent with the Bush administration's efforts to promote transparent pricing.

"This plan is about giving consumers good information to make decisions about their healthcare and giving providers information to help them improve care," Mike Leavitt, secretary of HHS, told the Tennessean.

Patients at HCA hospitals can use the hospital's Web sit to see a range of prices for certain procedures. The Web site will give instructions on how to call for an estimate to patients with insurance.

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