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Episode 2: Solving for Form vs Substance in 2026
CMS price transparency audits currently focus on whether required data elements exist and are formatted correctly. They do not assess whether the information inside the file is accurate.
That distinction matters.
In Episode 2 of SlicedHealth’s 2026 Price Transparency Guide, Chief Client Officer Ken Jackson explains the critical difference between compliance in form and compliance in substance. He walks through how hospitals can technically pass audits today while still publishing incomplete, estimated, or inconsistent data, and why that approach creates long-term financial, operational, and reputational risk.
Ken also discusses why future enforcement is likely to move beyond format checks toward validating accuracy, using a clear analogy to tax audits and real-world enforcement patterns. He explains where estimated rates fit, why true negotiated rates matter, and what hospital leaders should be thinking about now to avoid scrambling later.
This episode is essential viewing for CEOs, CFOs, and revenue leaders responsible for compliance, pricing accuracy, and financial readiness as enforcement tightens in 2026.
Watch Episode 2 to understand where price transparency is headed and how to prepare for what comes next. If you want to see how SlicedHealth supports a substance-first approach to price transparency, you can also request a demo.