FTC Warns 24 Hospital Systems Over Deceptive Pricing Practices
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson sent letters on Oct. 5 to 24 of the nation's largest health systems, warning that incomplete, inaccurate, or untimely price disclosures could violate Section 5 of the FTC Act even if hospitals comply with CMS price transparency rules. The agency said CMS requirements set a baseline but offer no safe harbor from consumer protection liability, and that omitting physician or facility fees from price estimates could be deemed deceptive. The FTC also flagged as potentially unfair any failure to give patients complete pricing information far enough in advance to compare providers, particularly for scheduled nonemergency services. The agency did not name the health systems but said it will continue monitoring pricing practices and pursue enforcement as warranted.