The Latest Regarding Balance Billing

On January 12th, MMS and TMA hosted a Zoom meeting with provider groups impacted by balance billing, Senator Bo Watson (Physical Therapist and Chair, Finance Committee) and Representative Robin Smith (Registered Nurse and Member, Health Committee and Insurance Committee). Below is a summary of the call.

  • Sen. Watson and Rep. Smith are co-sponsoring SB0001 and HB0002 which seeks to introduce an independent dispute resolution process by which a dispute for a balance or out-of-network bill may be resolved.
  • The bill lays out a process for determining reasonable fees and gives separate guidance for dispute resolution in emergencies, dispute resolution for balance bills, payment of resolved bills, and a “Hold Harmless” clause for patients.
  • The bill is designed to create an even better environment for patients (not caught in the middle) and providers (fairer reimbursement policies) than what was recently passed in federal omnibus legislation at the end of 2020.
  • We will follow up with requests for members and healthcare advocates to contact local legislators who will be asked to vote in order help advance these bills out of their respective committees. Committees were appointed last week. Op-eds in local publications will also be pursued.

Thank you in advance for helping us continue to advocate on this important healthcare issue.

Sincerely,

Clint Cummins, CEO