University of Utah Health was recognized by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) Administrator Seema Verma for its work in price transparency. Verma stated in a press call this week that the organization had voluntarily gone beyond required guidelines to promote price transparency for its patients.
As of January 1st, 2019, every hospital in the US is now required to publish a standard list of prices online in a machine-readable format for patients, according to newly-established CMS guidelines.
"All of us at University of Utah Health are extremely proud to be recognized as one of the top institutions in the nation when it comes to providing price transparency to our patients," said Kathy Delis, administrative director, revenue cycle support services for University of Utah Health. "Our online pricing tool gives patients an estimate of out-of-pocket costs for a specific procedure, and is part of the pricing transparency initiative that we have been committed to for over four years. We are pleased to be seen as a model for other healthcare systems across the country."
Along with U of U Health, Administrator Verma also recognized Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and UC Health in Colorado as health systems that have voluntarily taken steps to promote price transparency.