Hinson Introduces Bill to Hold Big Health Insurance Accountable

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) introduced the Health Insurance Transparency for Patients Act, legislation to expose how often health insurance companies deny or delay basic care and give patients the information they need to choose a health plan that actually works for their families.

"Big health insurance companies have a pattern of purposely denying patients coverage based on technicalities to protect their own bottom line. And they get away with it because nobody can see how they’re making these decisions. My bill holds them accountable by exposing these unfair practices, so patients are no longer in the dark and Iowans can get better healthcare coverage." — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

"Transparency and accountability should apply across the healthcare system. Iowa hospitals publicly report a significant amount of information about the care they provide, and it is reasonable to expect health plans to be equally transparent about how coverage decisions are made. This legislation would give employers, patients, and purchasers greater visibility into prior authorization approvals, denials, appeals, and other coverage decisions. Better information provides greater insight into how effectively the healthcare system is working for the people it serves." — Chris Mitchell, President & CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association

"The Iowa Medical Society supports the Health Insurance Transparency for Patients bill because every Iowa patient deserves timely access to medically necessary care. Greater transparency into health insurance coverage and prior authorization decisions will improve accountability, reduce unnecessary delays, and help physicians spend more time caring for patients instead of navigating administrative barriers. Patients and physicians deserve to know how insurance companies make decisions about covering their care, including whether that involves a physician, an automated process, or artificial intelligence. We appreciate Rep. Ashley Hinson's leadership in advancing legislation that puts patients first." — Lillian Erdahl, President of the Iowa Medical Society

The Health Insurance Transparency for Patients Act would:

• Require health insurance companies to publicly report the percent and number of:
  • How often they deny — or partially deny — coverage requests and why. 
  • Approved requests.
• Show how long patients wait for coverage decisions and appeals.
• Reveal how often denied claims are later overturned on appeal.
• Identify which treatments require prior authorization.
• Require the information to be published in a consumer-friendly format, all in one place, so patients can compare health plans. 

By exposing health insurance companies’ wrongful practices, families and our seniors can finally see which companies treat patients fairly and which ones try to block care and play games with your coverage. 

Hinson has consistently fought to increase transparency and strengthen healthcare for Iowa families, including protecting new parents from surprise medical bills and supporting rural hospitals so Iowans can access quality care closer to home. The full text of the bill can be found here.

 

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