H.R. 6100: Health Accelerating Consumer’s Care by Expediting Self-Scheduling Act

This bill, known as the Health Accelerating Consumer’s Care by Expediting Self-Scheduling Act, aims to amend existing laws to improve access to healthcare services by reducing barriers for patients seeking care. Key provisions of the bill include the following:

Expanding Information Services

The bill allows healthcare providers to financially compensate information service providers, which are platforms that help consumers search for and book appointments with healthcare providers. This change aims to facilitate greater access to healthcare by promoting the use of online services.

Conditions for Compensation

While allowing compensation, the bill sets guidelines to ensure that:

• Information service providers do not encourage consumers to choose a specific healthcare provider based on how much that provider pays them.
• They do not provide medical services, diagnoses, or promises of treatment.
• They cannot disclose personal contact information of a consumer to providers, except to the specific provider chosen by the consumer.
• They may not arrange transportation for consumers to healthcare providers.
• They are limited in providing incentives or benefits to consumers other than the convenience of the service itself.
• They must not engage in targeted marketing toward potential consumers who have not interacted with the service before.

Transparent Financial Arrangements

The bill requires information service providers to clearly disclose their financial relationships with healthcare providers. This ensures transparency for consumers regarding how these services operate and how providers are compensated.

Appropriate Compensation Standards

Compensation to information service providers must:

• Be determined in writing before services are provided.
• Not exceed fair market value.
• Relate to specific services that are clearly outlined.
• Not be influenced by the value of any healthcare services provided to consumers by participating providers.

Consumer-Centric Information

The information service providers must furnish information to consumers based on objective criteria that prioritize the needs of the user. They cannot exclude providers who meet established objective criteria from participating in these platforms.

Definition of Terms

To ensure clarity, the bill includes definitions for key terms used, such as:

• Consumer: An individual using the platform to find and book appointments with healthcare providers.
• Information Service: A web-based platform designed primarily to allow consumers to search for and book providers.
• Information Service Provider: An individual or entity that runs a web-based platform providing information to consumers about healthcare providers.

Implications of the Bill

The overarching goal of the bill is to reduce the hassle and complexity that consumers face when trying to access healthcare services. By streamlining how patients can find and schedule care, it aims to promote wider access to healthcare solutions and improve overall patient experience.

Relevant Companies

• AMGN (Amgen Inc.): As a provider of healthcare services, Amgen may see changes in how consumers access their products through digital platforms.
• CNC (Centene Corporation): A leader in healthcare services, Centene could be significantly affected by the increased use of information service platforms that facilitate consumer access to their services.
• ANTM (Anthem Inc.): As a major health insurer, Anthem may need to adapt to changes in consumer behavior and access to healthcare due to this bill.