Washington § 48.43.007 - Availability of price and quality information — Transparency tools for members — Requirements.

(1) Each carrier offering or renewing a health benefit plan 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) Inpatient treatments;

(ii) Outpatient treatments;

(iii) Diagnostic tests; and

(iv) Office visits;

(b) Recognizing integrated health care delivery systems focus on total cost of care, carrier's operating integrated care delivery systems may meet the requirement of (a) of this subsection by providing meaningful consumer data based on the total cost of care. This subsection applies only to the portion of enrollment a carrier offers pursuant to chapter 48.46 RCW and as part of an integrated delivery system, and does not exempt from (a) of this subsection coverage offered pursuant to chapter 48.21, 48.44, or 48.46 RCW if not part of an integrated delivery system;

(c) Are encouraged to display the cost for prescription medications on their member website or through a link to a third party that manages the prescription benefits;

(d) 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, the feedback must be monitored for appropriateness and validity, and the site may include independently compiled quality of care ratings of providers and facilities;

(e) Must allow members to access the estimated cost of the treatment, or the total cost of care, as set forth in (a) and (b) of this subsection on a portable electronic device;

(f) Must display options based on the selected search criteria for members to compare;

(g) Must display the estimated cost of the treatment, or total cost of the care episode, 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;

(h) Must display quality information on providers when available; and

(i) 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 or medical versus surgical alternatives as appropriate.

(2) In addition to the required features on cost and quality information, the member transparency tools must include information to allow a provider and hospital search of in-network providers and hospitals with provider information including specialists, distance from patient, the provider's contact information, the provider's education, board certification and other credentials, where to find information on malpractice history and disciplinary actions, affiliated hospitals and other providers in a clinic, and directions to provider offices and hospitals.

(3) Each carrier offering or renewing a health benefit plan on or after January 1, 2016, must provide enrollees with the performance information required by section 2717 of the patient protection and affordable care act, P.L. 111-148 (2010), as amended by the health care and education reconciliation act, P.L. 111-152 (2010), and any federal regulations or guidance issued under that section of the affordable care act.

(4) Each carrier offering or renewing a health benefit plan 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 website.

Intent—2014 c 224: "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." [ 2014 c 224 s 1.]