In today’s healthcare environment, patients often face uncertainty not only about their care, but also about the costs that follow, that has been recognized by federal and state policy makers and enforced by CMS. Price transparency is emerging as a powerful tool to reduce that anxiety, empower decision-making, and strengthen trust between patients and providers while providing an opportunity to strengthen revenue cycle performance.
On September 18, 2025, the HFMA MA-RI Chapter hosted the webinar Beyond the Price Tag: Reframing Transparency as a Tool for Patient Trust and Financial Resilience, led by Shawn Stack, Director of Perspectives & Analysis at HFMA.
Mr. Stack develops HFMA policy positions, advises members on healthcare policy, finance, and revenue cycle operations, and brings deep expertise from his experience with hospitals, state Medicaid agencies, and national associations.
He shared insights into the evolving landscape of healthcare pricing regulations and their profound implications.
Here is a recap of key points from the webinar and presentation:
Background
Since 2019, hospitals have been required to publish prices through machine-readable files and consumer-friendly displays.
Upcoming legislation may soon require detailed price disclosures, CEO and CFO attestations of pricing accuracy, and all-inclusive good faith estimates.
Patient Impact and Industry Transformation
Price transparency is not just about compliance, it’s about patients. Clearer, more accessible pricing information can help reduce financial anxiety, support more informed healthcare choices, and create a more patient-centered marketplace. For example, a family considering an elective procedure may feel more confident moving forward when they can compare prices online and understand their potential out-of-pocket responsibility in advance.
Compliance Landscape
As of September 16, 2025, national compliance with price transparency rules remains uneven:
- 97% of hospitals have posted Machine-Readable File (MRFs).
- 71% have adopted the text file format.
- 70% are compliant with both requirements.
Interestingly, common reasons for non-compliance include incorrect file naming conventions, broken website links, and outdated footer references.
Technical and Strategic Implications
Hospitals face growing expectations to provide all-inclusive good faith estimates, including technical charges and co-provider costs, and to update pricing information annually. To stay ahead, organizations may consider leveraging AI-driven compliance monitoring tools to identify gaps and streamline updates.
Key compliance requirements include publishing MRFs in acceptable formats (CSV, JSON, or TXT), posting files on the root directory of the hospital website, and following CMS naming and template conventions. These details are critical for compliance teams, but the broader goal remains patient understanding and trust.
Challenges and Opportunities
While compliance can be resource-intensive, it also creates opportunities to improve patient trust, enhance financial communication, and reduce billing complexities. Hospitals that take a proactive approach can transform compliance into a competitive advantage.
Looking Ahead
The future of healthcare pricing points toward complete transparency, patient empowerment, and more ethical financial practices. Hospitals that embrace these changes will not only remain compliant but will also strengthen their role as trusted community partners. As Shawn Stack emphasized, transparency should be viewed as a strategic opportunity, not just a regulatory requirement.
Stay Engaged
For more insights, join us at the upcoming HFMA MA-RI & NEHIA Joint Compliance & Internal Audit Conference, December 3–5, 2025 and stay tuned for future events like this one. To learn more, visit the HFMA MA-RI Chapter website or reach out to admin@ma-ri-hfma.org.
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