Sponsors (16)
The bill improves beneficiaries' ability to find and compare in-network providers—potentially reducing surprise bills and improving plan choice—at the cost of new federal implementation expenses and a risk that inaccurate or outdated data could still mislead patients.
Medicare beneficiaries can more easily find which providers and suppliers are in-network because the bill requires a searchable tool listing network participation, improving ability to access in-network care.
Medicare beneficiaries can compare provider access across Medicare Advantage plans and Original Medicare within a year, helping them choose plans that better meet their needs.
Medicare beneficiaries may face fewer surprise out-of-network costs because greater transparency lets them verify provider participation before receiving care.
Medicare beneficiaries and others could be harmed if the new tool is incomplete or not kept up to date, leading to delayed care or unexpected out-of-network charges.
Taxpayers (and the Medicare program) will bear implementation and ongoing maintenance costs for HHS to build and run the tool, increasing administrative spending.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires HHS to maintain a searchable website listing providers participating in Medicare Advantage networks and in original Medicare (Parts A & B).
Official title: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain a website for Medicare beneficiaries to search for providers participating in MA plans and traditional Medicare.
Introduced November 18, 2025 by Mark Pocan · Last progress November 18, 2025
Requires HHS to create and maintain an online search tool that helps current and prospective Medicare beneficiaries find providers and suppliers who participate in Medicare Advantage networks and in original Medicare (Parts A and B). The website must be live within one year after the law is enacted.