By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    magnesium water can be good for your health but you can't have too much
    Is Drinking Magnesium Water Good for Your Health?
    October 17, 2023
    common misconseptions about brain injuries
    4 Common Myths and Misunderstandings About Brain Injuries
    February 5, 2023
    get a career in medical device sales
    What Are the Benefits of Attending Medical Sales College?
    April 10, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Elective Coronary Stenting: A Case in Context
    August 3, 2011
    PSA screening: Does It or Doesn’t It?
    March 16, 2012
    Rick Perry Needs To Make Up His Mind
    September 19, 2011
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: California Law Prevents Price-Gouging of the Uninsured
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Finance > California Law Prevents Price-Gouging of the Uninsured
BusinessFinancePolicy & Law

California Law Prevents Price-Gouging of the Uninsured

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE
Hospital bills

Hospital bills add up fast

Hospital bills

Hospital bills add up fast

Medical bills are a major source of personal bankruptcy in the US. One reason is that hospitals typically bill uninsured patients wildly inflated “charges.” These prices are often double or triple the negotiated rates that insurance companies pay or that Medicare pays for the same services.

Historically hospitals defended this practice, claiming they needed high prices to compensate for the fact that few uninsured pay their bills, or even claiming to be prohibited from discounting to those who lacked a contract. There’s some truth to the first claim, yet the punishment fell upon those conscientious folks who actually tried to pay what they were billed.

As a new Health Affairs article (California’s Hospital Fair Pricing Act Reduced The Prices Actually Paid By Uninsured Patients) states:

“The pricing policies of US hospitals leave the most vulnerable patients least protected from high medical bills.”

California passed a comprehensive law to address this issue in 2006, effectively capping prices for moderate income uninsured patients at Medicare rates. According to the author’s analysis, the impact has been substantial. Hospitals have reduced their prices to the uninsured; low to moderate income patients have benefited.

The findings are important, because while the federal Affordable Care Act also addresses the issue of pricing to the uninsured, its provisions are much weaker. For example, nonprofit hospitals have the discretion to determine who is eligible for discounted charges and for-profit hospitals are exempted from the requirements.

My own view is that it’s especially important to regulate prices that are charged to uninsured people who are not covered by the ACA, such as undocumented immigrants.

I have less sympathy for those who are eligible for coverage but choose to remain uninsured. Ironically, the threat of ruinous hospital bills could be just what we need to encourage everyone to sign up for coverage.

photo: urbanbohemian via photopin cc

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

medical billing
BusinessFinanceHospital Administration

How Patient Experience Will Affect Medical Billing

October 31, 2013

Screening and Prevention: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

July 6, 2011
Image
BusinessHospital AdministrationMobile HealthSocial Media

Strategy and Practice Intertwine in a New Social Media Book by the Mayo Clinic

November 20, 2012
Oil Rig Injury
Health care

Critical Healthcare Steps Following an Oil Rig Injury

August 12, 2024
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?