Last week, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a legislative package (HR 3630) to address the ongoing “Surprise Billing” issues affecting patients and physicians.
While this is not the same bill the Association and other medical societies were supporting, the committee did agree to adopt an amendment establishing an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process for out-of-network (OON) claims of $1,250 or more. Arbitrators leading the process would be permitted to consider things like median contracted in-network rate, provider’s level of training, experience, quality and outcomes, and acuity of care/services rendered.
Although HR 3630 still has flaws, the Association views this as progress from where we were – there was no IDR language in the original bill. Also, with HR 3502 still awaiting a hearing, it appears HR 3630 will most likely become the primary piece of legislation moving forward in the U.S. House.
With this in mind, we have slightly revised the wording of the previous letter to legislators. Still touting HR 3502 as the model we support, these new revisions more broadly address the need for IDR language to be included in whatever bill goes to the floor. Click here to read our letter to our Congressional Delegation in which several other medical specialty societies have also signed.
What can you do? Contact your legislators! We have prepared an email and guidelines in order to make this process as easy as possible for you. Simply click the button below, enter your information, and stand up for a solution that best addresses the needs of patients and physicians.