On November 14, State Representative Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City, OH) announced plans to introduce legislation regarding health care price transparency in the state of Ohio.
Unveiled during a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse, the draft legislation aims to address issues brought forward by the medical community concerning the current statute on health care price transparency. Rep. Huffman worked with various organizations, such as the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio State Medical Association, to clarify the language while also ensuring that Ohio’s patients are aware of price estimates and anticipated out-of-pocket costs when they receive medical care.
- Requiring a physician or other health care professional, upon request, to provide a good-faith estimate for each scheduled service (a service or procedure scheduled at least seven days in advance)
- Specifying that that estimate must contain the anticipated cost to the patient, as well as a notification if the provider is out-of-network
- Requiring a health plan issuer to provide a good-faith estimate for each service that a provider seeks preauthorization for.
“I believe that transparency will further enable patients to make informed decisions regarding their care and it is my hope that this will help reduce overall health care costs,” Rep. Huffman said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and interested parties to move this legislation through the process and get this important policy implemented in Ohio.”
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Executive Vice President Ann Spicer attended the press conference representing the Academy.