Divulging Hospitals’ Negotiated Prices Divides Employers

Employer groups are split on a Trump administration proposal to require disclosure of the rates that insurers have agreed to pay hospitals. While supporters of the proposal think it would boost transparency and help employers curb costs, opponents are concerned that it could reduce competition and spur price hikes for consumers.

Need to Know? Knowing the negotiated rates wouldn’t help consumers with their need for information on their out-of-pocket costs, which many health plans already provide, insurers and hospitals argue.

Don’t Stop Short: But it would be “foolish” to end the focus at out-of-pocket costs without examining the overall cost ...