CMS ramped up enforcement of hospital price transparency rules in 2025, issuing fines to 10 hospitals after imposing three in 2024.
Here are seven things to know about hospital price transparency fines in 2025.
1. It was the second-busiest year for price transparency fines.
Hospital price transparency fines by year:
- 2022: 2
- 2023: 12
- 2024: 3
- 2025: 10
2. Fine amounts ranged from $32,301 to $309,738 in 2025. The $32,301 fine imposed on Kentwood, La.-based Southeast Regional Medical Center is the lowest CMS has issued since enforcement actions began in 2022. The $309,738 fine imposed on Paragould-based Arkansas Methodist Medical Center is the sixth-highest to date.
3. Four of the 10 hospitals that received fines in 2025 have 30 or fewer beds. Since enforcement actions began in 2022, nine of the 27 hospitals that have received fines had 30 or fewer beds.
4. Two of the hospitals that received fines in 2025 had more than 100 beds. Arkansas Methodist Medical Center had 114 beds, and Mandeville, La.-based Northlake Behavioral Health System had 140. Three other hospitals fined this year had between 33 and 60 beds.
5. CMS bases its civil monetary penalties on hospital bed counts. Fines fall into three tiers:
- Hospitals with more than 550 beds can be fined up to $5,500 per day.
- Hospitals with 31 to 550 beds face a daily fine of $10 per bed.
- Hospitals with 30 or fewer beds may receive a daily fine of up to $300.
Since enforcement actions began in 2022, only two hospitals with more than 550 beds have received fines. Sixteen of the 27 hospitals that have been fined have between 31 and 550 beds.
6. Five of the 10 hospitals fined in 2025 have appeals currently under review. Overall, 11 of the 27 hospitals that have been fined currently have appeals under review.
7. Here are the 10 hospitals CMS fined for alleged violations in 2025:
- Arkansas Methodist Medical Center (Paragould): $309,738*
- Northlake Behavioral Health System (Mandeville, La.): $257,180*
- Lawrence Rehabilitation Hospital (Brick, N.J.): $120,120
- Community Care Hospital (New Orleans): $93,214*
- Hill Hospital of Sumter County (York, Ala.): $84,216
- Bucktail Medical Center (Renovo, Pa.): $75,582*
- D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital (Brewton, Ala.): $71,852
- First Surgical Hospital (Bellaire, Texas): $62,016*
- CCM Health Hospital and Clinic (Montevideo, Minn.): $55,611
- Southeast Regional Medical Center (Kentwood, La.): $32,301
*Appeal under review
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