Proposal for transparency in health coverage

The IRS, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have published [84 FR 65464] proposed rules that would require group health plans and health insurance issuers in the individual and group markets to, among other things, disclose cost-sharing information upon request, to a participant, beneficiary, or enrollee (or his or her authorized representative), including an estimate of such individual's cost-sharing liability for covered items or services furnished by a particular provider. Under these proposed rules, plans and issuers would be required to make such information available on an internet website and, if requested, through non-internet means, thereby the individuals to obtain an estimate and understanding of their out-of-pocket expenses and effectively shop for items and services. Comments on the proposed rules are due by January 14, 2020.