Section 31-7-11. Written summary of hospital service charge rates

   (a) Any hospital shall, upon request, provide a written summary of certain hospital and related services charges, including but not limited to:

   (1) The average total charges per patient day for the facility's previous fiscal year;

   (2) The daily rate for a room in said hospital, which rate shall include an explanation of the categories of services included in said charge;

   (3) Anesthesia charges, with an explanation of the categories of services included in this charge;

   (4) Operating room charges;

   (5) Recovery room charges;

   (6) Intravenous administration charges;

   (7) Emergency room charges, with an explanation of the categories of services included in the charge;

   (8) The charge for the patient care kit or admission kit or other such items furnished to the patient on admission;

   (9) Charges for specific routine tests, including but not limited to a complete blood count, urinalysis, and chest X-ray; and

   (10) Charges for specific special tests, including but not limited to electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, CAT scan of the head, CAT scan of liver, CAT scan of lungs, CAT scan of skeletal system, spirometry, and complete pulmonary function.

Such written summary of charges shall be composed in a simple clear fashion so as to enable consumers to compare hospital charges and make cost-effective decisions in the purchase of hospital services.

(b) The department shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Code section and shall implement such regulations as provided in Code Section 31-7-2.1.

Code 1981, § 31-7-11, enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 1307, § 1; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22, § 31.