No Surprises Act Shielded Patients from 10M Surprise Bills
Industry News
Thursday, February 01 2024
(By Paige Minemyer) Patients were protected from more than 10 million surprise medical bills thanks to reforms in the No Surprises Act, according to a new survey. The analysis, backed AHIP and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, found that nearly 80% of claims disputed under the law were resolved before reaching the independent dispute resolution (IDR) stage, a process that has drawn ire—and legal challenges—from providers.
In addition, the survey found that 67% of the 21 insurers surveyed said they have grown their provider networks since the act has taken effect, and none have narrowed their networks. The surveyed payers represent 139 million covered lives in the commercial market, or about 65% of that sector.
Adam Beck, senior vice president of commercial product and employer policy at AHIP, told Fierce Healthcare that this is the third time the organizations have conducted this survey, and all three point to the same idea: Patients benefit from the No Surprises Act's changes. "I think what each of them has underscored is that the No Surprises Act is working really well for patients," he said. "And it's impacting millions of patients and millions of consumers every year, whether they realize it or not."
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In addition, the survey found that 67% of the 21 insurers surveyed said they have grown their provider networks since the act has taken effect, and none have narrowed their networks. The surveyed payers represent 139 million covered lives in the commercial market, or about 65% of that sector.
Adam Beck, senior vice president of commercial product and employer policy at AHIP, told Fierce Healthcare that this is the third time the organizations have conducted this survey, and all three point to the same idea: Patients benefit from the No Surprises Act's changes. "I think what each of them has underscored is that the No Surprises Act is working really well for patients," he said. "And it's impacting millions of patients and millions of consumers every year, whether they realize it or not."
Click Here to Read More