Mass Hospitals Weak on Price Transparency

Pioneer Institute surveyed 22 out of approximately 66 Massachusetts acute care hospitals and 10 free-standing clinics seeking prices for one common procedure – an MRI of the left knee without contrast.  While Pioneer was ultimately able to get the information from all 10 clinics and 21 of the 22 hospitals, the process was time consuming, confusing and replete with long rounds of telephone tag. Consumers do not have the time to pursue this information. Most hospitals surveyed barely comply with the minimum requirements of a state law that went into effect in 2014 that requires hospitals, physicians, clinics and insurance companies to give consumers and prospective patients the price of medical services and procedures ahead of time.

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