New law aims to protect patients from painful bills

Friday, January 2, 2009

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A new law requires health care providers to tell patients how much a procedure will cost before they perform it.

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A new year means new laws on the books, one of which is designed to give hospital patients better protection from shocking bills.

The new law requires Florida hospitals and health care providers to tell patients how much a procedure will cost before they perform it. Now, patients can request a bill estimate for planned procedures such as surgeries.

Lucinda Workman, who had a back fusion operation, said the bill for the procedure was almost $120,000.

The cost took her by surprise.

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"Quite frankly, no one ever discussed money," Workman said. "It was something that needed to be done, and we had no idea what it was going to cost."

Fortunately for Workman, her health insurance kicked in to cover the costs. However, she thinks that people without insurance could change their mind if they see how much they could be charged.

"If I hadn't had the kind of insurance I have and they told me it was going to be over $100,000, I may have considered sticking it out a little longer," she said.

Another aspect of the new law could help with that as well. Health care providers now have to put up notices in reception areas, advising patients on charity and discount policies.

In addition, the new law also requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to create a price list of common procedures and treatments, which they hope will give patients the ability to compare prices.