Pricing Transparency
To meet federal transparency requirements set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Regions Hospital provides public access to its standard charge list—often referred to as a chargemaster—covering all services offered at the facility. CMS also requires hospitals to share the negotiated rates established with different insurance providers, as well as discounted self-pay prices for patients without insurance coverage. In accordance with these guidelines, Regions Hospital has published pricing details for two specific services: inpatient psychiatric care and intensive outpatient programs. The information presented reflects current data at the time of posting and will be reviewed and updated each year, as mandated by CMS.
What is a charge?
A hospital charge refers to the federally required maximum “list price” assigned to each service or item provided by the hospital. This figure does not include any discounts or negotiated rates that may exist with insurance companies.
Hospitals must maintain a detailed list of these items, procedures, and their corresponding prices in a system known as the chargemaster. While very few patients actually pay these list prices, federal rules require hospitals to assign the full charge amount to all services for accounting and reporting purposes.
How do charges differ from what insurance actually pays?
Insurance programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers establish their own reimbursement rates for services. These rates are typically lower than the hospital’s listed charges.
For instance, a hospital might list a room rate at $1,600 per day, but an insurance provider may reimburse only $700 for that same service.
How do charges differ from your personal costs, such as a deductible or coinsurance?
Your out-of-pocket costs—including deductibles and coinsurance—are based on the rates negotiated between your insurance company and the hospital, not on the hospital’s full list prices.
How can you get a more accurate estimate of your potential costs?
To better understand what your individual out-of-pocket expenses may be, contact your insurance provider before receiving care. You can also reach out to Regions Hospital’s billing office at 225-408-6060 to discuss your bill, ask questions specific to Regions, or connect with a financial counselor about available payment options.
Regions Hospital Standard Charges and Negotiated Rates
Downloadable CSV spreadsheet file
Consumer Friendly Price Transparency List and Information (PDF)