Intermountain Health has published updated price transparency data for Cedar City Hospital and St. George Regional Hospital, providing standardized charge lists as required by the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule. The disclosures include information on shoppable services and medical item pricing, though the provider cautioned that these figures do not guarantee final patient costs.
Understanding standard charge listings
The pricing information released by Intermountain Health for both Cedar City and St. George facilities represents the standard charges for medical items and services. However, the hospital noted that these listings reflect prices paid by insurers for specific services and may not represent an individual patient's actual share of costs under their specific health plan.
Factors causing billing discrepancies
Several factors can cause a discrepancy between the published transparency data and a patient's final bill. Intermountain Health stated that the actual medical items, including medications and supplies furnished during a visit, may vary from what was originally anticipated. Additionally, patients may receive services or supplies from physicians, practitioners, or contractors who are not employed by the hospital, and the prices for those specific third-party services are not included in the provided lists.
Insurance coverage and pricing limitations
The provider emphasized that the posted prices for insurers are only available if the patient's insurance plan covers those specific medical items or services. Furthermore, because an insurer may not be contracted with the hospital for all services, the posted prices will not apply to any services for which a contract does not exist.
Warnings regarding definitive price quotes
Intermountain Health explicitly warned that the Hospital Standard Charges list should not be used as a definitive price list or a quote for any service. The organization noted that charge amounts in these lists rarely reflect what patients are actually asked to pay for medical services and supplies on a final bill, as costs fluctuate based on insurance status and whether a patient is uninsured.
Tools for generating cost estimates
To assist patients in navigating potential costs, Intermountain Health provides tools for generating estimates through its MyChart platform. For patients without a MyChart account, the hospital offers a guest Price Estimator link where users can select an Intermountain Health location, accept a disclaimer, and enter medical procedure names or CPT codes alongside insurance or self-pay information to receive a printable estimate.
For existing MyChart users, the estimation process can be completed by logging into their account, navigating to the 'Billing' section under the main menu, and selecting 'Estimates' to create a new estimate. This process requires patients to have their specific medical procedure name or CPT code and insurance information ready for an accurate search.
Intermountain Health encourages patients to obtain hospital cost estimates before scheduling any non-urgent hospital services. The provider specifically recommends that patients with insurance coverage contact their insurance providers directly to understand current benefits, copayments, or deductible requirements, as these are critical in determining accurate out-of-pocket costs.
For those facing financial uncertainty, the hospital noted that uninsured and underinsured patients may qualify for discounts, financial assistance, or other payment options. Detailed information regarding these programs can be found on Intermountain's dedicated financial assistance website.
Intermountain Health maintains a Cost Estimate Team to serve as an additional resource for patients seeking pre-service cost estimates. This team can be reached by phone at (855) 442-8601 or via email during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires hospitals to publish a Hospital Standard Charge list, Intermountain Health maintains that the tools provided through MyChart and the Cost Estimate Team are more helpful and accurate resources for patients attempting to understand their estimated medical costs.
