Generally through apps
Plan enrollees access through a self-service online tool such as a plan portal; information must also be available in paper form. General public can download files from a website.
Basic nature of information
Plan payment rates to particular providers and other cost data
Includes Protected Health Information?
No
Yet the rules reflect the same philosophical shift from the government. Both CMS and the Departments have now endorsed the view that the rapid disclosure of sensitive data is critical to addressing the flaws of the health care system, and CMS and the Departments view health plans as key players in addressing that issue. CMS and the Departments also believe that voluntary disclosures will not be sufficient and that data-sharing mandates are necessary to achieve needed reform. Further, CMS and the Departments view health care consumers as playing a central role regarding the data, as they envision patients easily obtaining information about their health care and potential health care costs from third-party apps that will become more and more available.