Connecticut's Attorney General issued a report on April 16 concerning hospital
acquisitions of physician practices and the facility fees charged
by many hospital-acquired physician practices to patients. The
acquisition of a physician practice by a hospital enables the
hospital to bill separately for the physician's professional
services and for the use of the office or facility by means of a
"facility charge."
The AG conducted a survey of all 29 hospitals in Connecticut and
found that 22 of the 29 charge facility fees for outpatient
services, but fewer than half of the hospitals notified patients in
advance that they would be charged a hospital facility fee in
addition to a professional fee. The facility fees also apply to
practice locations off the hospital campus.
The Attorney General proposed two pieces of legislation to deal
with facility fees and the growing trend of hospital acquisitions
of physician practices. We will post updates on this blog as the
legislation progresses.
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