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Assembly committee backs bill to tighten accuracy of health-plan provider directories
Summary
The Assembly Health Committee voted to advance AB 280, which would require health plans to meet phased accuracy benchmarks for provider directories and allow use of a centralized verification utility; supporters tied inaccuracy to delayed care and harms for consumers, while insurers warned of limits without provider participation.
The Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday voted to advance AB 280, a bill that would require health plans to verify provider information annually, meet phased accuracy benchmarks and allow use of a centralized third‑party database to reduce errors in provider directories.
Supporters said inaccurate “ghost” listings leave patients unable to find in‑network care and can lead to delayed or costlier treatment. Katie Van Dynes of Health Access California told the committee that some directories show error rates as high as 80 percent for psychiatrists. “Consumers deserve accurate provider directories,” Van Dynes said. Sarah Soekran, a licensed clinical social worker, described a patient who attempted suicide after calling through…
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