FTC Chairman Ferguson sent formal letters to healthcare service providers, reminding them of their legal obligations regarding price transparency. The agency warns that failure to provide clear and accurate pricing information may constitute a violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act.
The commission clarified that compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules does not automatically satisfy FTC requirements. Deceptive practices include omitting physician or facility fees, providing incomplete disclosures, or sharing inaccurate pricing data.
The FTC has identified price transparency as a key enforcement priority across various sectors, including automotive sales, rental housing, and grocery delivery. The agency is actively monitoring companies that use consumer data to dynamically adjust prices.
Recent enforcement actions highlight the agency's focus on consumer protection. In July, the FTC sued Hims and Hers over subscription billing practices, and in June, it filed a complaint against Genesis Tech for allegedly misleading users with hidden auto-renewal terms.
