A Market-Based Approach to End Surprise Billing
As policymakers look to put an end to surprise medical billing, there is growing recognition that a fair benchmark standard based on local rates of care is the best way to ensure fair and equitable treatment for health care providers, consumers, employers, and taxpayers. A local benchmark standard would align out-of-network payments to existing local, in-network market rates, which are especially important for small and rural hospitals that play such a vital role for the families they serve. Check out the resources below to learn more about why a local benchmark is the best way to solve surprise medical bills.
Coalition Statement on Latest Senate COVID-19 Relief Proposal
Washington, D.C. - Following the release of the latest Senate proposal related to COVID-19 relief, the Coalition Against Surprise Medical Billing issued the following statement: "Patients and their families have waited far too long for comprehensive protections...
ICYMI: Leading Employer Groups and Union Organizations Urge Congress to Ban Surprise Billing
Earlier this month, employer groups and union leaders urged House and Senate leadership to prioritize comprehensive surprise medical billing reforms in the next COVID-19 package. Highlights from their letter are included below: “As Congress works on the next COVID-19...
There are many reasons why Congress should put an end to surprise medical billing. Here are the three most important.
There are many reasons why Congress should put an end to surprise medical billing. Here are the three most important. Amidst a global public health crisis, Congress has yet to take comprehensive action to address one of the biggest health and affordability challenges...
New National Poll: Voters Want Permanent Surprise Billing Ban
With the highest unemployment rate on record in decades, it is no surprise that almost a quarter of voters have delayed or know someone who has postponed receiving medical care during the COVID-19 crisis because of cost, according to new national polling from Morning...
JAMA Op-ed: Surprise Billing In Surgery – Time For Action
Below are excerpts from an op-ed published in JAMA. JAMA Op-ed: Surprise Billing In Surgery Time For Action By Karen E. Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH; Edward Livingston, MD "'Surprise' billing occurs when patients with health insurance receive care from a clinician or...
Ways & Means Proposal ‘Major Step Backwards’ for Patients, Employees Facing Surprise Medical Bills
Millions of Americans continue receiving bankrupting surprise medical bills. While Congressional action is long past due, the recent proposal from the House Ways & Means Committee is a major step backwards, falling drastically short of providing the comprehensive...
Coalition Statement on Latest Surprise Billing Proposals
Following the release of surprise billing proposals from the House Committee on Ways & Means and the House Committee on Education and Labor, the Coalition Against Surprise Medical Billing issued the following statement: “At a time when millions of Americans are...
Solving Surprise Medical Billing Through Market-Based Rates Gets Bipartisan Love
New recommendations from the Bipartisan Policy Center zero in on surprise medical bills and the need to tackle these unfair charges as part of a system-wide approach to addressing unsustainable health costs. The bipartisan group of health care experts -- led by former...
By Addressing Surprise Billing, Congress Can Protect Patients & Reverse Looming Debt Crisis
Yesterday’s reality check from the Congressional Budget Office about the country’s unsustainable debt crisis calls for Congress to take urgent action on health care costs. At a time when out-of-network providers and private equity firms are intentionally exploiting...
Why Private Equity Firms & Out-of-Network Providers Want to Stop Surprise Billing Reforms
At a time when thousands of American patients are facing hospital bill collectors at their door or the shock of an unexpected charge heading into surgery, those who benefit from these bankrupting charges – private equity firms, out-of-network providers and hospitals –...