Facility fees were first intended to help health systems cover the costs of operating emergency rooms and hospitals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In recent years, however, they have become far more pervasive. Facility fees are being added to bills at outpatient practices that operate on normal business hours.
Key Takeaways
- First intended to help cover the cost of operating a ERs and hospitals
- Separate from the cost of care
- Become more widespread as hospitals have aquiredindependent practices
- Increase the total cost of a visit
Why are facility fees tied to where you receive care?
Hospitals are often allowed to charge hospital facility fees if they own a the facility where the care is provided, even if it is outside a hospital setting. Care delivered in a hospital or hospital-owned clinic is billed differently than care at an independent provider. This is one reason the same medical procedure can cost more at a hospital.
How does this affect you?
Facility fees can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs and make it harder to compare prices across providers. Even routine care can cost more depending on where it is delivered. These differences are part of broader healthcare costs.
What this means in North Carolina
In North Carolina, facility fees are a key part of ongoing discussions around healthcare costs and transparency. Policymakers and advocates are evaluating how these fees impact patients and whether changes are needed to improve affordability.
Recent discussions at the General Assembly have brought increased attention to how facilities fees are used and how they affect patients.
