In August, CMS finalized a rule requiring hospitals to publish a list of their standard charges online in a machine-readable format and to update this information at least annually. Over the past few months, CMS has attempted to answer questions about the new requirement before it kicks in Jan. 1.
CMS posted a document in September that provided the definition of “machine readable” and answered five other frequently asked questions about the price transparency rule.
CMS recently published an additional document that expanded on the rule. The agency answered seven questions about the new requirement, including one about whether hospitals are required to post information online that isn’t included in their chargemasters. CMS clarified that even if a hospital’s chargemaster does not include standard charges for drugs, biologicals, or other items and services it provides, those charges must be posted online.
Source: Beckers