Effect of price transparency on ASCs

Editor's Note

In this survey of six ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), Johns Hopkins researchers led by Martin Makary, MD, MPH, found that the majority increased patient satisfaction, volume, and revenue after publicly listing the prices of common surgical procedures.

Five centers reported an increase in patient volume by a median of 50% at one year after implementing price transparency.

Four reported an increase in revenue by a median of 30%, and three had an average increase of seven new third-party administrator contracts.

Three centers also reported a reduction in administrative burden, and five reported an increase in patient satisfaction and patient engagement.

The centers noted in the survey that the leading barrier to making prices transparent was discouragement from other practices, hospitals, and insurance companies.