Carey sponsors price transparency bill for medical imaging services

U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) on July 24 sponsored legislation that would amend the Social Security Act to promote price transparency for imaging tests under the Medicare program.  

The Imaging Services Price Transparency Act, H.R. 4828, would require hospitals and other medical providers to make public the cost of imaging services, like X-Ray, MRI, and CT scans.

“Healthcare costs are skyrocketing across America,” Rep. Carey said. “Our legislation makes it easier for consumers to know in advance the cost of an X-Ray or CT scan. This will go a long way to ensuring that hard-working Americans are not blindsided by medical costs.”

H.R. 4828 has been included in the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee’s Health Care Prices Revealed and Information to Consumers Explained Transparency Act, H.R. 410, also known as the Health Care PRICE Transparency Act, introduced on Jan. 20 by U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) to provide statutory authority for requirements for hospitals and health insurance plans to disclose certain information about the costs for items and services, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Rep. Carey’s bill has been referred for consideration to the Ways and Means Committee, as well as the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.