AB 788

This bill requires each hospital to file a copy of its chargemaster with the

Department of Health Services on an annual basis. The bill defines the term

“chargemaster” as “a uniform schedule of charges represented by the hospital as its

gross billed charge for a given service or item, regardless of payer type.” Under the

bill, hospitals must also make a written or electronic copy of the chargemaster

available, either by posting an electronic copy of the chargemaster on the hospital

website or by making a written or electronic copy available at the hospital location.

If a hospital chooses to post an electronic copy on its website, the hospital must

ensure it is posted in a conspicuous location on the website. In addition, hospitals

must post a notice in the emergency department, if any, in the admissions office, and

in the billing office that informs patients about the availability of the hospital's

chargemaster. Finally, the bill imposes a forfeiture of $100 for each day a hospital

violates these requirements.