BILL REQ. #:  S-3921.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/07/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to transparency tools for consumer information on health care cost and quality; adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Consumers face a challenge finding reliable, consumer friendly information on health care pricing and quality. Greater transparency of health care prices and quality leads to engaged, activated consumers. Research indicates that engaged and educated consumers help control costs and improve quality with lower costs per patient, lower hospital readmission rates, and the use of higher quality providers. Washington is a leader in efforts to develop and publish provider quality information.
     Although data is available today, research indicates the existing information is not user friendly, consumers do not know which measures are most relevant, and quality ratings are inconsistent or nonstandardized. It is the intent of the legislature to ensure consumer tools are available to educate and engage patients in managing their care and understanding the costs and quality.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 48.43 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each carrier offering a health benefit plan offered or renewed on or after January 1, 2016, must offer member transparency tools with certain price and quality information to enable the member to make treatment decisions based on cost, quality, and patient experience. The transparency tools must aim for best practices and, at a minimum:
     (a) Must display cost data for common treatments within the following categories:
     (i) In-patient treatments;
     (ii) Outpatient treatments;
     (iii) Diagnostic treatments; and
     (iv) Office visits;
     (b) Are encouraged to display the cost for prescription medications on their member web site or through a link to a third party that manages the prescription benefits;
     (c) Must include a patient review option or method for members to provide a rating or feedback on their experience with the medical provider that allows other members to see the patient review;
     (d) Must allow members to access the estimated cost of the treatment as set forth in (a) of this subsection on a portable electronic device while sitting in the doctor's office;
     (e) Must display options based on the selected search criteria for members to compare;
     (f) Must display the estimated cost of the treatment and the estimated out-of-pocket costs of the treatment for the member and display the application of personalized benefits such as deductibles and cost-sharing;
     (g) Must display quality information on providers when available; and
     (h) Are encouraged to display alternatives that are more cost-effective when there are alternatives available, such as the use of an ambulatory surgical center when one is available.
     (2) In addition to the required features on cost and quality information, the member transparency tools must include information to allow a provider search of in-network providers with information including specialists, distance from patient, the provider's contact information, the provider's education, board certification and other credentials, malpractice history and disciplinary actions, affiliated hospitals and other providers in a clinic, and maps and driving directions.
     (3) Each carrier offering a health benefit plan offered or renewed on or after January 1, 2016, must, within thirty days from the offer or renewal date, attest to the office of the insurance commissioner that the member transparency tools meet the requirements in this section and access to the tools is available on the home page within the health plan's secured member web site.