Senate Calls on Advisory Council to Find Ways to Cut Hospital Costs

The Utah Senate passed a bill calling on the state’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council to prepare a series of reports detailing plans to reduce hospital costs. Until the committee finalizes its recommendations, Senate Bill 64 would cut the hospital reimbursement rate to 77% of billed charges, from 85%. The Senate voted 27-0 to pass the bill on Tuesday. Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City, introduced the bill earlier this year as a follow-up on a 2016 measure allowing payers to negotiate reimbursement rates directly with hospitals. Her 2016 bill set reimbursement at 85% ...