What is the No Surprises Act?
The No Surprises Act is a federal law that protects patients from surprise medical bills, particularly when they receive care from out-of-network providers without their knowledge or consent. It bans "balance billing" for:
Emergency room visits
Out-of-network care at in-network hospitals or facilities
Out-of-network providers who assist in procedures without the patient's consent or knowledge
Under this law, patients are only responsible for their in-network cost-sharing amounts. Providers and insurers are required to negotiate a payment rate or go through an independent dispute resolution process if they can't agree on a price. This law aims to shield patients from unexpected medical bills and promote transparency in healthcare pricing.