Even Republicans Want to Outlaw Surprise Medical Billing
Conclusion
Surprise billing is generally not a problem with Medicare or Medicaid.
But for others under age 65, we need new regulations which must be non-negotiable. State health departments must be empowered to cancel overcharges, which will still occur despite regulations.
If we can establish reforms now, in a time of crisis, the new laws have a chance to be permanent when the crisis is over. For now, we must:
Immediately ban providers from sending balance bills for out-of-network health care services related to the coronavirus. Require insurers to make a payment for these services on a timely basis and limit the patient’s responsibility to in-network cost-sharing or no cost-sharing to the extent that is required under other emergency provisions. In addition, plans would apply in-network deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits to health care services related to the coronavirus. Create a payment standard, based on Medicare rates, to specify the amount owed by the insurer to the out-of-network provider.
Bob Hertz is a retired insurance broker. He learned about health care from Uwe Reinhardt, Joseph White, Dr. Robert Evans, and George Halvorson a fellow Minnesotan.
The post Even Republicans Want to Outlaw Surprise Medical Billing appeared first on The Health Care Blog.
Source: The Health Care Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Christina Liu Tags: COVID-19 Health Policy Bob Hertz Cost Sharing economic reform health economics surprise billing Source Type: blogs
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