Bill > S789

This bill amends Chapter 111 of the General Laws to require hospitals to make publicly available on their websites a machine-readable file containing a list of all standard charges for all items and services provided by the hospital, as defined by federal regulations. Additionally, the bill requires hospitals to provide patients scheduled for elective procedures, tests, or services with an estimate of the payment amount for which the patient will be responsible, upon request made at least 3 days in advance. The Department of Health is tasked with promulgating regulations to implement the act, and violations are deemed an unfair and deceptive act under Chapter 93A, allowing the Attorney General to take enforcement action.