Congressman Nick Langworthy introduced the Clear Healthcare Expense Cost Knowledge (CHECK) Act on June 3, legislation aimed at increasing transparency in the healthcare system, providing patients with clear information about medical costs, and holding healthcare middlemen accountable for hidden fees and opaque billing practices.
The CHECK Act seeks to give employers greater visibility into healthcare spending, provide patients with clearer insurance information, and require providers to supply detailed itemized medical bills before seeking payment. The bill also strengthens oversight of pharmacy benefit managers, third-party administrators, and other intermediaries. According to the announcement, these measures are intended to help patients better understand what they are paying for and promote accountability among healthcare entities.
“Americans deserve greater transparency and information about their healthcare costs so they can make informed decisions about their care,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “The CHECK Act shines a light on the hidden costs and middlemen driving up healthcare expenses, gives patients clear and understandable information about their services, and helps protect families from surprise charges. Greater transparency means greater accountability, and that’s exactly what this legislation delivers.”
Key provisions of the bill include requirements for service providers such as pharmacy benefit managers to disclose detailed claims data quarterly; prohibitions on contractual gag clauses that prevent access to spending data; mandates for insurers to provide detailed explanations of benefits within 45 days; requirements for itemized bills prior to payment or collections actions; protections against charges exceeding disclosed estimates except in specific circumstances; and penalties for noncompliance with transparency rules.
The legislation applies broadly across both ERISA-regulated health plans as well as self-funded non-federal governmental health plans. Langworthy concluded by saying, “Americans deserve to understand what they are paying for before they receive a bill. Lifting the veil of secrecy surrounding healthcare costs will ultimately produce a system that is more affordable, more accountable, and better geared toward patients’ needs.”
Langworthy won election to represent New York’s 23rd Congressional District in 2022 after being raised in Jamestown, New York. He emphasizes constituent service in his district work and has previously championed airline safety reforms through federal legislation, according to the official website.
