Charge Description Master Requirements – Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1339.51

All hospitals must make a written or electronic version of the charge master available either by posting an electronic version on the hospital’s website or making one available at the hospital’s location.  A charge description master is a uniform schedule of charges used by the hospital as its gross billed charge for a particular service, regardless of the payer type.  This requirement does not apply to small or rural hospitals.

Hospitals must post conspicuous notices in the emergency department, admissions office, and billing office, stating that the charge description master is available.  Any information about charges must also include information about where to find hospital quality information.