36-125.06. Comparative report; brochure

A. The director shall publish a semiannual comparative report of patient charges utilizing the statistical data submitted pursuant to section 36-125.05, subsections B through E. The comparative report shall be in the format prescribed by the director and shall be published within sixty days after the date the statistical data are required to be submitted by hospitals and emergency departments to the department pursuant to section 36-125.05, subsection G. Copies of the report shall be delivered to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and placed on file with the Arizona state library, archives and public records.

B. The director shall publish a brochure semiannually at the same time as the comparative report is published pursuant to subsection A of this section. The brochure shall be in the format prescribed by the director and shall contain a simple and concise comparison among hospitals and emergency departments in the same geographic region of average charges per confinement for the most common diagnoses and procedures for inpatient and emergency department services. Each hospital shall obtain copies of all current brochures for its geographic region and shall make available in its reception area a sufficient number of these brochures for free distribution of one copy to each individual requesting a copy. A hospital may charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost of postage and handling, if any, for each brochure, if mailed. The director shall provide on request a sufficient number of brochures to any authorized local agency as defined in section 36-401 and any other person or group requesting copies. The director shall not charge for brochures provided by the department.