Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced the No Surprises Act Enforcement Act. This bill reinforces the No Surprises Act, which protects patients against surprise medical bills when they receive unanticipated out-of-network health care and helps ensure that the law is working as intended.
“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,” said Bennet. “This legislation is a necessary next step to make sure health care providers and insurance companies are both upholding their responsibilities to patients under that law.”
“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,” said Marshall.
The No Surprises Act was signed into law in 2020 to instill key patient protections while ensuring a balanced resolution process for disputes between insurers and providers when a patient received unanticipated out-of-network care. Under the law, patients cannot receive “surprise” medical bills when there is a dispute between the doctor and the insurer on the price of that care. However, the intent of the law is not being carried out and this bill creates additional guarantees that all parties are treated fairly.
This 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 who are not compliant with the law; and
- Increasing transparency in reporting requirements.
In 2019, Bennet first introduced bipartisan legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills.
U.S. Representatives Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), John Joyce (R-Pa.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House.
The text of the bill is available HERE.