Patients push for price data. Lawsuits, regulations could cause consumers nationwide to start seeking more transparency from hospitals on outpatient fees.
Lawsuits over hospital outpatient fees, including a case at Virginia Mason Medical Center, could prompt consumers nationwide to seek more information about their bills. The issue highlights the turf battle between physician- or corporate-owned clinics and competing hospital facilities, and how they're marketed. "We absolutely agree that patients need full information", says Virginia Mason's Sarah Patterson, left.
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D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000191:economics; D030881:Disclosure; D004465:Economic Competition; D017722:Hospital Charges / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010350:Patient Credit and Collection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013531:Surgicenters / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington