OH may make health plans to disclose fees

A new Ohio measure may give providers some relief on an issue that concerns them intimately-the amount they're actually going to be paid by a health plan. The bill, which pertains to physicians, hospitals, outpatient clinics and ambulance services, would require health plans to provide an updated source of rate information and an online system for checking patient coverage. At the same time, it would make health plans provide a plain-language summary of terms in contracts.

The AMA, which supports the bill, says that smaller medical practices with four or fewer doctors particularly need the contracting help this law would provide. The Ohio Association of Health Plans, meanwhile, contends that the bill unfairly adds to their expenses without forcing providers to offer anything new in return.

For more information on this measure:
- read this Business First of Columbus piece

Related article:
- Ohio works to foster HIE development article