This bill, titled the Health Share Transparency Act of 2025, aims to increase transparency and consumer protection regarding health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) by amending the Public Health Service Act. It establishes comprehensive disclosure requirements for these ministries, ensuring greater accountability and informed decision-making for participants. Under the bill, HCSMs must annually submit detailed financial and operational information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. This data includes financial reserves, claims payment ratios, enrollee numbers, total payments, average out-of-pocket expenses, and claims denial percentages. The Secretary is then required to publish this submitted information on a public website for consumer access. Furthermore, HCSMs must provide specific disclosures to both prospective and current enrollees. This includes clear explanations of complaint and appeal processes, whether arbitration is required, and a prominent disclaimer that reimbursement is not guaranteed and that the ministry is not traditional insurance. These disclosures must be presented prominently , in multiple languages , immediately prior to enrollment, and in an accessible format like 14-point font. The legislation also mandates that any entity enrolling individuals into an HCSM must inform them about alternative health coverage options, such as ACA tax credits, Medicaid, and Medicare, and compare their benefits and protections to those offered by the ministry. Non-compliance with these requirements can result in civil monetary penalties of up to $100 per day per individual. Finally, the Federal Trade Commission is directed to semi-annually disclose consumer complaints against HCSMs, including the ministry's name and details about its operations.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Health
Health Share Transparency Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-3103| House
| Updated: 4/30/2025
This bill, titled the Health Share Transparency Act of 2025, aims to increase transparency and consumer protection regarding health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) by amending the Public Health Service Act. It establishes comprehensive disclosure requirements for these ministries, ensuring greater accountability and informed decision-making for participants. Under the bill, HCSMs must annually submit detailed financial and operational information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. This data includes financial reserves, claims payment ratios, enrollee numbers, total payments, average out-of-pocket expenses, and claims denial percentages. The Secretary is then required to publish this submitted information on a public website for consumer access. Furthermore, HCSMs must provide specific disclosures to both prospective and current enrollees. This includes clear explanations of complaint and appeal processes, whether arbitration is required, and a prominent disclaimer that reimbursement is not guaranteed and that the ministry is not traditional insurance. These disclosures must be presented prominently , in multiple languages , immediately prior to enrollment, and in an accessible format like 14-point font. The legislation also mandates that any entity enrolling individuals into an HCSM must inform them about alternative health coverage options, such as ACA tax credits, Medicaid, and Medicare, and compare their benefits and protections to those offered by the ministry. Non-compliance with these requirements can result in civil monetary penalties of up to $100 per day per individual. Finally, the Federal Trade Commission is directed to semi-annually disclose consumer complaints against HCSMs, including the ministry's name and details about its operations.