by The Associated Press
Two state lawmakers are proposing a measure that would help patients in North Carolina find the best prices on medical procedures.
Sens. Bob Rucho, R-Mecklenburg, and Harry Brown, R-Onslow, filed the legislation Wednesday. Its goal is to improve medical billing transparency, reduce health care costs and help consumers make better-informed decisions about their treatment.
A statement from the two senators says the bill would require hospitals and outpatient surgery centers to disclose all treatment costs associated with the top 50 most common procedures performed at their facilities. That information would be published via the North Carolina Health Information Exchange, the state's public information forum.
The bill also prevents hospitals and outpatient surgery centers from charging patients twice for radiology services provided once.
