More than two years after Congress acted to shield patients from surprise medical bills, lawmakers are turning to another source of unexpected medical costs: the fees that hospitals tack on for services provided in clinics they own.
As health systems push more care outside hospital walls, they’re charging extra “facility fees” for common services like blood tests, X-rays and, in some cases, even telehealth visits, Axios reports.
Critics say the practice drives up health care costs while padding hospital profits and incentivizing more consolidation. But hospitals argue the fees cover the cost of nurses, lab technicians, medical records and equipment — and that limiting them could reduce patient care.
The fees have caught the attention of Congress, which could take up price transparency legislation. Read more.
