State law requires hospitals to provide uninsured patients with a price list upon request. A new study finds most California hospitals aren't complying with the law.
Researchers in the Rand Corporation study sent letters to more than 350 hospitals. Posing as uninsured patients, researchers asked for prices for three procedures: gall bladder removal, hysterectomy, and colonoscopy.
Less than a third of the hospitals responded. Most of the responses did not include complete estimates. Some didn't provide any prices, and instead asked for more patient information.
The California Hospital Association says it has no idea why hospitals didn't answer the request. The group says hospitals must comply with the law.
Rand researchers say the study shows the price transparency law isn't working.
