Price Transparency
Welcome to Sidney Health Center’s Price Transparency web page as mandated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The data presented in the Charge Master Listing File includes individual charges. This format may be difficult for the average consumer to use for help in calculating the total charges you may incur during a hospital visit as well as the related out-of-pocket expenses you may be responsible for paying.
Effective January 1, 2021, please use the following link to access Sidney Health Center’s price transparency information. Prices listed are effective as of November 11, 2020. This link includes a comprehensive machine-readable file of all hospital items and services, as well as a consumer-friendly display of 300 “shoppable” services determined by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Sidney Health Center’s Hospital Price Index:
https://search.hospitalpriceindex.com/hpi2/hospital/SidneyHealthCenter/8028or
As another option, we encourage our patients to visit our Price Estimate web page or contact our Patient Financial Services Director at 406-488-2112 for help with specific procedures and individual circumstances.
The prices depicted in this section are from Sidney Health Center’s current charge master and reflect the prices as of April 15, 2020. Hospital prices are updated annually with the most recent overall price change being implemented at the start of each fiscal year on the first of July. There could be instances where charges in an individual department or an isolated charge may change during the calendar year.
Click Here to View: Charge Master Listing effective July 2 2020
Hospital charges are the amount a hospital bills a patient or insurer for a service. For most patients, hospitals are reimbursed at a level well below charges. Patients covered by commercial insurance products have negotiated rates with hospitals. Patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid programs have hospital reimbursement rates determined by federal and state governments.
Hospital charges may also include bundled procedures, personnel, services and supplies. An example would be room rates that include the space, equipment, nursing personnel and supplies.
It is important when a patient has the opportunity to shop for medical services that he or she contacts his or her own insurance carrier to understand which costs will be covered and which will be the patient's responsibility.
When reviewing the charges listed in the Charge Master spreadsheet, please keep in mind:
- Due to government and insurance payment methodologies, charges may not appear the same on all bills depending on the payer. For example, a clinic visit for a Medicare patient will be a two-part charge where it will be only one charge for most other insurances.
- Supplies and pharmaceuticals are charged based on the cost to the hospital and fluctuate throughout the year.
- Not all services are charged based on a flat fee. Some services are charged by the unit, which may vary from one department to another. For example, charges may be based on minutes, hours or mileage, to name a few.
For additional information about understanding healthcare prices, please check out the following consumer guides that are published by the Healthcare Financial Management Association.