Senate Bill S5693A

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S5693A

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to hospital compli-
ance with federal hospital price transparency law, rules and regulations

 
PURPOSE:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to hospital compli-
ance with federal hospital price transparency law and rules

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section I: Amends section 2805 of the Public Health Law by adding a new
subdivision 3 that requires monthly reports on hospital compliance with
federal hospital price transparency laws and rules, It also adds if the
hospital is not in compliance with federal price transparency law, they
cannot access any funds pursuant to section twenty-eight hundred seven k
of this article.

              

Section 2: Sets Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Federal law and Medicare regulations require hospitals in the United
States to provide clear, accessible pricing information for the services
they offer. This price transparency empowers consumers to make informed
decisions about their healthcare by allowing them to view the costs of
services-such as X-rays, lab tests, and colonoscopies-before receiving
care. Hospitals must publish both the rates negotiated with insurers and
the cash prices for patients who choose to pay out-of-pocket.

Access to this information enables patients to compare prices across
hospitals and select the facility that best meets their needs. It also
provides employer-sponsored ERISA health plans with insight into the
actual costs charged by hospitals, promoting greater accountability and
informed healthcare spending.

To ensure hospitals in New York State remain in compliance with federal
price transparency requirements, this legislation would mandate that the
Commissioner of Health publish monthly reports on each hospital's
compliance status. Hospitals found to be noncompliant would become inel-
igible to receive funds from the state's Indigent Care Pool. However, if
a hospital is considered essential by the Commissioner and demonstrates
meaningful efforts toward compliance, it may continue to receive funding
while corrective actions are underway.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Senate

2023: N/A

2024: S8988A, Amend and Recommit to Health

Assembly

2023: No Assembly Same-As 2024: No Assembly Same-As

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment,
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.