AHA urges HHS to exercise enforcement discretion on hospital price transparency rule

The AHA today urged the Department of Health and Human Services to exercise enforcement discretion with the hospital price transparency rule that took effect Jan. 1. 

“Hospitals’ ability to comply with the rule at this time is particularly challenged by an increase in the volume of COVID-19 patients and the need to distribute multiple vaccines,” AHA said. “Both of these events are straining hospital and health system resources at a critical time in the course of the pandemic sweeping the nation. These strains are further compounded by the considerable gaps in federal guidance creating compliance uncertainty and recent legislation placing new price transparency requirements on hospitals. In light of these exigencies, we urge you to exercise enforcement discretion until the end of the public health emergency.”

AHA also has urged President-elect Biden’s administration to exercise enforcement discretion on the rule.

A federal appeals court Dec. 29 ruled against AHA’s legal challenge to the rule mandating that hospitals disclose their privately negotiated charges with commercial health insurers.

AHA has shared resources with hospitals and health systems to help them comply with the rule’s requirements.