The Georgia Legislature recently passed House Bill 321 (the Act) adding a new code section (O.C.G.A. §31-7-22), which imposes significant financial and business transparency requirements on certain hospitals in Georgia, including non-profit hospitals. Beginning October 1, 2019, non-profit hospitals operating in Georgia will be required to post links in a prominent location on their homepages. These links must direct the individual to a plethora of detailed information, including, among other items, audited financials, Form 990’s, the salaries and fringe benefits of the facility’s ten highest paid administrative positions and notably, each facility’s completed annual hospital questionnaire. Posting the annual hospital questionnaire will provide an easy to access record on the facility’s populations served, services provided, outcomes, payment sources and staff employed. This information was previously available through a complex database on the Georgia Department of Community Health’s website. Now, it will be available to every visitor to the hospital’s website advancing transparency and setting the stage for increased accountability. Transparency is being embraced at the federal level as well – an executive order is expected to be issued this month to compel disclosure of healthcare prices.
