The federal and state Marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have made it easier for consumers to compare their health insurance options, but data are still not fully available for consumers to understand how their plan options compare on cost-sharing, provider networks, drug access, and what each option might cost them in premiums and outof-pocket spending. The challenges are more daunting for consumers who purchase coverage outside the Marketplaces, where comparative data are harder to find and consumer tools are more limited.

Despite these limitations, however, the road ahead is clear: we are on the cusp of a transparency revolution in which consumers will have the data and the consumer tools to make informed choices among their health insurance options in ways that will transform the Marketplace. Consider the following scenarios...