Hospital systems have been buying up medical practices at a rapid pace, and patients receiving routine medical care are increasingly being surprised by higher prices and mysterious hospital ‘facility fees’ — even if they never visited a hospital.
One mom took her eight-year-old daughter for a panel allergy tests last summer and was shocked when she learned the bill totaled $24,000 for testing that typically runs about $1,800.
Stateline: You’ve covered your copayment; now brace yourself for the ‘facility fee’
In a 2020 study published in the journal Annals of Surgery, researchers found that facility fees for common outpatient procedures in the United States rose by 53% from 2011-2017, while physicians’ professional fees remained steady. The increases were primarily driven by facility fees and out-of-pocket expenses.
KPRC: ‘It’s absolutely outrageous’: Houston resident charged surprise $400 ‘facility fee’ after doctor visit
A Houston mom took her daughter to see the doctor and was surprised and outraged when her bill included a $290 item labeled “observation/treatment room” and another fee of $405 for a “room, staff and supply charge.”
The Texas Legislature Has a Chance to Address the Rise of Mysterious ‘Facility Fees’
Health plans and patients are increasingly seeing unexplained “facility fees” on medical bills. But because so many practices have been bought by hospital systems, without transparency about where services were actually delivered, it’s often impossible for patients and plan providers to know if bills are accurate.
The Texas Legislature has taken up two bills addressing the often unexplained and mysterious “facility fees” that are driving up health care prices.
Senate Bill 1232 and House Bill 2556 both require basic transparency in billing so patients and health plans know that they are only paying for services received where they were actually provided.