Clinics will post prices on 15-square-foot signs or pay fines of up to $1,000 per day until they comply. The posted prices will apply only to patients paying in cash, debit or credit cards instead of with insurance.
The law is designed to provide transparency in healthcare prices. However, many physicians have said the complexity of pricing, with variables including billing codes, payment method and insurance, may make posted prices misleading.
The requirement applies only to urgent care clinics, not to hospital emergency rooms or individual primary care physicians. It is unclear what specific clinics other than urgent care centers will have to meet the price transparency requirements.
Primary care physicians who choose to post prices will be exempt from license fees and continuing medical education requirements for a period of time. Rep. Ronald Renuart (R-Ponte Vedra Beach) said exemption from continuing education is not an incentive because many physicians need continuing education to remain board certified. In addition, education can teach physicians new treatments.
Read the St. Petersburg Times report on urgent care clinics.
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Hospital-Owned Urgent Care Centers May Charge ER Prices
