Watch the ASA-member webinar "Updates on Surprise Medical Bills Legislation." (members-only)
Out-of-network billing, or “surprise medical bills” occur when a patient receives a bill for the difference between the out-of-network provider’s fee and the amount covered by the patient’s health insurance, after co-pays and deductible. Patients often assume that facility-based providers—such as radiologists, pathologists, physician anesthesiologists and emergency physicians—are in-network because their surgeon and hospital are in-network. Using New York as a model, Congress should act to hold patients “harmless” from unanticipated bills. Patients should be responsible for only their in-network out-of-pocket expenses in emergency and unexpected settings.
S. 1895, the Lower Health Care Costs Act (Alexander-Murray)
ASA-Opposed Read more
Provision of H.R. 2328, the No Surprises Act (Pallone-Walden)
ASA-Opposed Read more
H.R. 3502, the Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act (Ruiz-Roe)
ASA-Endorsed Read more
Physician anesthesiologists recognize being a provider in their patients’ health plans is better for patients, easing both expenses and paperwork burdens. It is also better for providers easing billings and administrative responsibilities. While there are circumstances where physician anesthesiologists may not be in a patient’s network, data indicates that the vast majority of claims for anesthesia services – more than 90% – are in their patients’ health plans or “in-network,” thereby limiting patient exposure to “surprise medical bills.”
To address “surprise medical bill” situations, ASA Urges Congress to:
ASA has endorsed the “Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act,” a proposal introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Congressmen Raul Ruiz, M.D., and Phil Roe, M.D. Read more about this proposal.