‘No Surprises Act’ goes into effect as patients get protection from unexpected medical bills – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD (WJZ) – The No Surprises Act went into effect Saturday nationally, to protect consumers from unexpected payments after receiving out-of-network urgent care.

Unexpected billing occurs when a patient goes to a hospital that is outside of their health insurance plan through no fault of their own.

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Some of the services covered under this act include emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, surgical assistant, hospital physician, and specialist physician services. Department.

The measure would also protect people who are being treated by an out-of-network provider at a network hospital or ambulatory surgery center.

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“Our office has been receiving complaints for years from consumers facing unexpected medical bills that are unfair and financially damaging,” said Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh said. “The No Surprise Act ensures consumers can get medical care without fear of receiving unexpected bills through no fault of their own.”

The act would also require medical professionals to provide a “Good Confidence Estimate,” which requires providers and facilities to notify patients in advance of the cost of treatment.

These protections in the No Surprises Act would not apply to people with Medicare, Medicaid, Indian Health Services, Veterans Affairs Health Care or TRICARE, given that they already have protections against medical bills built into their plan.

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For more information on the No Surprises Act, see Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Website.