A new law in main requires hospitals and providers to report facility fees, which will be published online, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill into law July 11 targeting hospital facility fees in an attempt to bring more transparency to healthcare billing and charges. The new law requires healthcare providers to submit facility fees by Jan. 1, 2024 for public posting. The state will also create a task force to evaluate facility fees under the legislation. The task force will include eight voting members with representatives from hospitals and health plans.
The new task force will review facility fees and enforce federal and state regulations. The members will also recommend changes to laws or rules related to facility fees and medical cost transparency.
Maine Senate President Troy Jackson told the Press Herald facility fees are difficult for patients who may not receive the bill until after treatment. "This new law will help us better understand the scope of the problem and equip the legislature with the tools to enact laws that make a meaningful difference for Mainers," he said.
The Maine Hospital Association is opposed to any actions that would eliminate facility fees.
"Hospitals are prepared to work with the legislature and help them understand both our cost structure, as well as how the many different reimbursement systems work," said Jeff Austin, spokesperson for the Maine Hospital Association, in the article.