Many doctor visits in the area and across the country have become significantly more expensive compared to just a couple of years ago. A growing concern among patients is the “facility fees” that are being charged, sometimes more than doubling the cost of medical bills. Investigative reporter Amy Davis provides insight into this issue and what patients can do about it.
EXPLAINER: What is a facility fee?
We’ve heard from a lot of you who have questions about surprise ‘facility fee’ bills after doctor appointments.
Patients are encouraged to share their stories and medical bills with lawmakers to illustrate the impact of facility fees on families. By doing so, they can help lawmakers understand how these fees affect everyday people.
Rep. Tom Oliverson, an anesthesiologist and Texas legislator, highlights the issue by explaining:
“What we’re really talking about here is a situation where all you did is you went to the doctor’s office, sat on the exam table for 5 minutes and the next thing you know, you’re getting a facility charge for sometimes twice as much as what the doctor visit was. That has to stop.”
Oliverson has been actively addressing this issue, having heard from many constituents with similar experiences.
Mindy Easterbrook, a mother of two, shared her story of how Texas Children’s Hospital began adding facility fees to her children’s quarterly diabetes check-ups.
These fees included $405 for an “observation/treatment room” and $290 for “room, staff and supply charge,” on top of the regular doctor’s bill. “Our kids come first. We have to have them seen,” Easterbrook states, emphasizing the necessity of these visits despite the additional costs.
Oliverson’s House Bill 2075 aims to ban facility fees for any doctor’s visit not truly at a hospital, where such fees have traditionally been charged.
The Texas Hospital Association argues that these fees are “a necessary cost” and warns that health care and jobs could be lost if the legislation passes. However, Oliverson counters, “This has just sort of come upon the scene as a way for hospital-owned physician practices to maximize the amount of income they receive from a clinic, and I think it’s disingenuous.”
Eight states have already passed laws banning or limiting these fees.
Meanwhile, federal lawmakers are working on the “Lower Costs, More Transparency” Act, which would end facility fees outside of traditional hospitals nationwide. Oliverson acknowledges the challenge ahead, stating, “It is gonna be a bit of an uphill battle because whenever you’re talking about taking someone’s revenue stream away, whether it’s just or unjust, and I think we would all agree it’s unjust. They’re gonna fight to keep it.”
Patients are encouraged to testify once HB 2075 goes into committee, explaining the impact on their families to help lawmakers understand. You can email Oliverson’s office here.
Last year, the Texas Hospital Association told KPRC 2 News the fees are necessary. They sent this document that explains that hospitals would have to reduce staff, cut services, and close outpatient clinics if these fees are banned.
Check out more from the Texas Hospital Association here.
