The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) believes that transparency in health care refers to reporting information that can be easily verified for accuracy. Both data and process should have transparency and an explicit disclosure of data limitations. Transparency in health care includes, but is not limited to, easy availability of:
Transparency
Our Stance
- payers’ payment policies
- payers’ claims adjudication software logic edits
- payers’ fee schedules
- payers’ clinical policies
- payers’ data analysis methodology and performance measures used in rating physician performance
- reporting of physician health care cost and quality information
AAFP Advocacy Activities
- AAFP sent a letter in February 2008 to over 50 health plans sharing and requesting that they adhere to the transparency policy. Read the letter (3-page PDF file; About PDFs).
- AAFP has met face-to-face with Aetna, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Wellpoint to discuss transparency related to publicly reporting physician performance ratings as well as other issues important to you. AAFP urges payers to adhere to the policies and positions defined and referenced in the transparency policy.
Make Your Voice Heard
- We want to hear about your experiences. Submit a health plan grievance or view grievances submitted by other members (Members Only).
- Subscribe to our e-mail discussion list and hear what others are saying. (Members Only)
What We're Working On
