Masters of nursing students in my current financial management class are now working on one of their most frustrating assignments: reviewing California hospital chargemasters, and trying to figure out why the prices are so disparate between institutions. I use this assignment as a way to get students started reviewing financial documents, and to see how so much information is still hidden, even when these documents are made public. Later in the semester I'll lecture about concepts hospital administrators use when they set prices (cost-shifting, for example).
Do you have access to your hospital's chargemaster? Is this a resource for you when developing business plans?
Many countries that provide universal health coverage standardize and regulate hospital pricing. This is one area that I have not seen discussed in our current health reform debates. What are your thoughts about the implications of making all US hospital chargemasters public, and requiring greater regulation and standardization of hospital prices?
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Author and teacher for nurses learning about financial management and health policy. Helpful information for anyone in healthcare management and administration. Economics and Financial Management for Nurses and Nurse Leaders, 2nd ed. New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2013. http://www.springerpub.com/product/9780826110497#.UOtV2axCrTo http://blog.springerpub.com/?s=penner
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