Provider directories get more attention

Provider directories are notorious for being inaccurate and out-of-date. Part of the issue is that insurance companies generally face little (if any) penalty for incorrect information. Meanwhile, patients (the insurance companies' customers) can suffer financial consequences when they consult a doctor who is listed as being in-network, but actually isn't. Ironically, insurance companies often tell patients to consult with the doctors to make sure that the doctors indeed accept the insurance plan in question; the doctors instruct patients the opposite. Fortunately, this longstanding problem is receiving some attention from federal officials.

It's unclear how vigorously the new standards will be enforced. The standard of "adversely affected" seems fairly vague, and it's unclear how officials will look for people who are affected.