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SD 81

An Act relative to hospital price transparency

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts hospitals must publish machine-readable price data and provide written cost estimates for elective services, with enforcement and penalties under state law.

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Bill Summary · SD 81

Summary: Senate Bill SD 81 — An Act relative to hospital price transparency

A proposed Massachusetts bill to enhance price transparency in hospital services by requiring public price data, patient cost estimates, and regulatory enforcement.

Purpose and overall aim

  • Increase transparency of hospital prices and patient costs for medical services.
  • Ensure consumers can access clear, actionable pricing information prior to elective procedures or services.

Key Provisions

  • (a) Public, machine-readable price data

    • Requires every hospital to make available on its website a machine-readable file listing all standard charges for all items and services provided.
    • The standard charges must align with 45 C.F.R. § 180.50 and use definitions consistent with 45 C.F.R. § 180.20.

  • (b) Written cost estimates for elective services

    • Upon request, and at least 3 days before an elective procedure, test, or service, hospitals must furnish the patient with an estimate of the payment amount for which the patient will be responsible.
    • Hospitals must provide written information about the patient’s ability to request an estimate, and that information must be posted conspicuously in public areas (e.g., admissions/registration) and on the hospital’s website.

  • (c) Regulatory implementation

    • The Department of Public Health (or a designated department) must promulgate regulations to implement the act.

  • (d) Enforcement and penalties

    • Violations are deemed an unfair and deceptive act under Chapter 93A. The Attorney General may bring actions under Chapter 93A to obtain restitution, civil penalties, injunctive relief, and other relief.

Affected parties

  • Primary: All hospitals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • Secondary: Patients and their legally authorized representatives scheduling elective procedures, and hospital staff responsible for pricing and billing.

Implementation timeline and process

  • The bill mandates regulatory promulgation to implement the requirements (no specific start date provided in the text excerpt).
  • Enforcement mechanisms rely on existing consumer protection provisions (Chapter 93A) administered by the Attorney General.

Legislative context

  • Bill SD 81, An Act relative to hospital price transparency, introduced in the 2025-2026 session.
  • Filed in 2025 with connections to prior related proposals (similar matter previously filed as Senate No. 789 in 2023-2024).
  • The text inserts new Section 51M (Hospital Price Transparency) into Chapter 111 of the General Laws.

Potential impact

  • Increased price visibility for consumers, enabling better price comparisons and financial planning for care.
  • Hospitals will incur integration and disclosure requirements (machine-readable price lists, patient estimate workflows, posted information).
  • Strong enforcement framework with potential restitution and penalties may drive compliance improvements.

Notes: Status is that this is a proposed bill; it outlines the intended provisions and enforcement framework but has not (based on the provided text) become law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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