PatientRightsAdvocate.org Introduces Oklahoma Hospital Price Finder
Oklahoma patients empowered to compare prices, save on care, fight surprise bills
OKLAHOMA CITY – PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) has launched an innovative tool called the Oklahoma Hospital Price Finder. This valuable resource offers Oklahomans free access to a comprehensive list of hospital prices, enabling them to compare care options, avoid surprise medical bills, and prevent being overcharged. With this new tool, patients, employers, unions, and researchers can search hospital prices by procedure and code, simplifying the healthcare cost comparison process.
PRA's founder and chairman, Cynthia Fisher, expressed her excitement over the launch, stating, "The Oklahoma Hospital Price Finder Tool finally gives Oklahomans upfront healthcare prices. It is a significant step towards shielding them from unwarranted charges while empowering them to seek quality care at the best prices available. We encourage all health consumers in Oklahoma to use this tool before seeking medical care to ensure they achieve the best savings possible."
Earlier in 2025, Oklahoma's Governor Kevin Stitt signed into law S.B. 889, which established essential price transparency guidelines for all hospitals in the state. This legislation not only codified federal transparency mandates but also authorized ongoing compliance monitoring and enforcement, outlawing medical debt collection by non-compliant hospitals. The governor introduced the Oklahoma Hospital Price Finder Tool during a press event held at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The new regulations are set to take effect soon.
In its latest report, PRA revealed that only 12% of Oklahoma hospitals assessed were fully adhering to the federal hospital price transparency rule enacted nearly five years ago. This statistic highlights the need for initiatives like the Oklahoma Hospital Price Finder Tool.
The tool would have been beneficial to Mark Malthane, a patient who faced unexpected costs. He paid $150 upfront for his wife’s oncology appointment but later received an additional bill for $247. Despite numerous attempts to resolve this, the bill remained uncorrected. Years later, unbeknownst to him, the unaddressed amount, along with penalties, was deducted from his state tax refund.
Another individual, Shauna Evans, encountered significant medical expenses after her sister's brain aneurysm resulted in two ICU admissions, totaling over $150,000. Shauna reported, "Many of the charges on the bill were exorbitant for what they were. I've seen prices vary greatly for basic procedures. It’s frustrating; we absolutely need transparency in healthcare billing to ensure fairness for patients."
About PatientRightsAdvocate.org
PatientRightsAdvocate.org is at the forefront of the national healthcare price transparency movement. The organization is committed to achieving comprehensive transparency through advocacy, legislative efforts, media engagement, legal research, and grassroots initiatives. PRA firmly believes that making actual healthcare prices available will significantly lower costs for patients and employers, fostering a competitive and functional healthcare marketplace for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oklahoma Hospital Price Finder Tool?
The Oklahoma Hospital Price Finder Tool is a resource launched by PatientRightsAdvocate.org to provide Oklahomans with access to comprehensive hospital prices for various procedures.
How does the tool benefit patients?
It allows patients to compare prices at different hospitals, helping them avoid overcharges and unexpected medical bills while enabling informed choices regarding their healthcare.
What legislation supports this tool?
S.B. 889, signed by Governor Kevin Stitt, mandates price transparency among Oklahoma hospitals and provides regulatory oversight for compliance.
Why is price transparency important?
Price transparency helps promote competition, which can lead to lower healthcare costs and improved quality of care for patients.
What percentage of Oklahoma hospitals comply with price transparency?
According to PRA, only 12% of the hospitals reviewed in Oklahoma were fully compliant with the federal hospital price transparency rule.
