Pricing Transparency

Beginning January 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are requiring hospitals and health systems to post their current, standard charges and a list of shoppable services.

• Hospital charges are the amount a hospital bills an insurer for a service. For most patients, hospitals are reimbursed at a level well below charges.
  • Patients covered by commercial insurance products have negotiated rates with hospitals.
  • Patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid programs have hospital reimbursement rates determined by federal and state governments.
  • For specific information about the type of insurance coverage you have, please contact your insurer.

• Hospital charges may include bundled procedures, personnel, services and supplies. An example would be room rates that include the space, equipment, nursing personnel and supplies.

• Hospital charges do not represent the amount a patient is responsible for paying. If you are shopping for medical services, you should contact you insurance carrier to understand which costs will be covered and which will be your responsibility.

Each hospital operating in the United States will be required to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services.

Cost Estimate Tools

To estimate potential costs for your healthcare, you can use our interactive price transparency estimator. Price Transparency Machine Readable Files (MRF) are also available.

Price Transparency Machine Readable File

Patient transparency estimator

CMS txt. file:Cook Hospital CMS Price Transparency.txt

For more information on Hospital Price Transparency, please contact Kaylee Hoard, CFO 218-666-6263.