Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) sent a letter (attached) to the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Treasury, and Department of Labor requesting that regulatory implementation of the No Surprises Act not only match congressional intent, but also include a balanced process to settle payment disputes between health plans and providers. The letter was signed by 95 House representatives, including 11 from New York.
The No Surprises Act, which was signed into law in late December as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (P.L. 116-260), holds patients harmless from surprise medical bills and removes the patient from disputes between insurers and health care providers by requiring both parties to negotiate payments in out-of-network situations or resolve the payment amount through independent dispute resolution (IDR).
The letter requests that the IDR process consider the unique circumstances of each billing dispute and not disproportionately weigh any single factor in coming to a decision. It also expresses support for the No Surprises Act’s patient protection and transparency measures and encourages collaboration with stakeholders impacted by the law—allowing sufficient time for public comment and evaluation.
GNYHA strongly supports the letter and is grateful to Representative Suozzi for his advocacy on behalf of hospitals and health care providers.