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Bill

SB 220

Health care shopping and decision support program.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Bohacek and 2 co-sponsors

Indiana creates health care shopping program to increase price transparency and help consumers compare costs before receiving non-emergency services.

First reading: referred to Committee on Insurance
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Bill Summary · SB 220

Legislative bill overview

SB 220 establishes a health care shopping and decision support program in Indiana designed to help consumers compare health care costs and quality before receiving services. The bill aims to increase price transparency and empower patients to make more informed health care purchasing decisions. The program would provide tools and information to help reduce unnecessary spending while maintaining access to care.

Why is this important

Health care costs represent a significant portion of household and state budgets, yet most patients have limited visibility into prices before receiving care. By creating a structured shopping program, Indiana could help consumers identify lower-cost providers for non-emergency procedures, potentially reducing overall health care expenditures. This aligns with broader national efforts to increase price transparency in a health care system where costs often remain opaque until after services are rendered.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs vs. savings: Creating and maintaining a shopping platform requires state investment; unclear whether consumer behavior changes will generate sufficient cost savings to justify expenses
  • Emergency care limitations: The program likely applies mainly to elective, planned procedures; limited applicability for urgent/emergency situations where shopping isn't feasible
  • Provider participation: Success depends on health care providers and insurers voluntarily sharing detailed pricing data; potential resistance from some providers concerned about price-based competition
  • Equity concerns: Digital access and health literacy barriers may limit benefits to certain populations, potentially widening disparities if not carefully designed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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