Senators Marshall, Bennet Lead Charge to Protect Patients from Surprise Medical Billing

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the No Surprises Act Enforcement Act, legislation that seeks to protect patients from surprise medical bills.

A 2020 law, the No Surprises Act, created a process for settling payments for patients' costs associated with visiting a health care provider outside of their health insurance's network for care. However, health insurance companies are not following the process outlined in this federal law. Senators Marshall and Bennet's No Surprises Act Enforcement Act improves the No Surprises Act by ensuring health insurers reimburse providers promptly so costs are not passed along to patients.

"Surprise medical bills can have devastating economic impacts on families' bottom lines. The idea that health insurers are breaking the law and unfairly punishing patients and providers is beyond the pale. Our legislation ensures that out-of-network medical bills are resolved promptly and fairly, with enhanced penalties for any failure by the health insurers to do so. We are fighting for patients, who often feel helpless battling the insurers and the health care industry. Let's level the playing field and put patients' care and positive outcomes above unfair payment practices," Senator Marshall said.

"For too long, surprise medical billing left Coloradans on the hook for outrageous and unexpected costs after a hospital visit. That's why I introduced bipartisan legislation in 2019 to ban this harmful practice, and I was glad to see the No Surprises Act signed into law. This legislation is a necessary next step to further protect Coloradans and hold insurance companies accountable," Senator Bennet said.

The No Surprises Act Enforcement Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., Congressman John Joyce, M.D., Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D., and Congressman Jimmy Panetta.

Background:

The No Surprises Act (NSA) was signed into law in 2020 to instill key patient protections while ensuring a balanced resolution process for disputes between insurers and providers in our health system. The law protected patients from unexpected out-of-network "surprise" medical bills and established the framework for an effective and balanced independent dispute resolution process (IDR). However, this balanced framework is not being effectuated as Congress intended.

Specifically, the legislation reinforces the No Surprises Act by:

• Closing enforcement gaps through increased penalties for non-compliance of statutory payment deadlines.
• Providing parity between penalties imposed against parties non-compliant with the law.
• Increasing transparency in reporting requirements.

You may click HERE to read the No Surprises Act Enforcement Act.