The Health ACCESS Act amends federal healthcare law to create a safe harbor allowing healthcare providers and suppliers to pay websites and online platforms that help patients schedule appointments or find care. These platforms would be permitted to receive compensation from providers only if they follow strict rules: they cannot steer patients toward particular providers based on payment amounts, cannot provide medical services themselves, cannot share patient contact information beyond the selected provider, and must clearly disclose their financial relationships to consumers. The bill also requires that platforms use objective, consumer-focused criteria when listing providers, set compensation amounts in advance in writing at fair market value, and do not factor in the value of services resulting from their recommendations. The legislation aims to remove legal barriers that currently prevent the development of patient-friendly scheduling and provider-search tools while protecting consumers from steering and deceptive practices. This bill applies to healthcare providers and suppliers participating in Medicare and other federal health programs.
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