VA Code Ann. § 32.1-276.5:1 - Disclosures of contractual arrangements to be made publicly available

In order to promote transparency of health care information for consumers to make informed decisions, the Insurance Commissioner must negotiate and contract with a nonprofit entity for annual survey of health insurance carriers.   The survey will determine the reimbursement paid for at least 25 of the most commonly reported health care services, including inpatient and outpatient diagnostic services, surgical services, or treatment of certain conditions or diseases.  Each carrier must report the average reimbursement for a specific service from all providers and provider types, including hospitals, outpatient/ambulatory surgery centers, and physicians.  The survey should also include average reimbursement rates for the same services from Medicare and Medicaid fee-for-service.  The survey must be managed by the Commissioner to ensure that aggregate information is being provided so that consumers can determine the average reimbursement rates for a particular service.  Provider, facility, or carrier specific information will not be included in the public survey.  The public survey report must be made publicly available though a website operated by the nonprofit entity.  The Commissioner and other stakeholders must work to incorporate existing quality data and guidance into the price information.  Over time, the Commissioner must take steps to display price and quality information for episodes of care consistent with national standards.