Ban on Surprise Medical Bills Now Law

The $900 billion stimulus bill signed into law on Dec. 27 includes measures aimed at protecting patients from medical bill sticker shock. Tucked into the stimulus bills is the “No Surprises Act” which imposes a ban on surprise medical bills from many providers beginning in 2022.

Patients who go to the hospital for an in-network hospital for treatment often get care unexpectedly from a pricier out-of-network provider, such as an emergency room doctor or anesthesiologist. Often patients have no say in a non-network provider being involved in the his or her care.

The new law prohibits doctors, hospitals and air ambulance providers from billing insured patients for unpaid balances. Instead, providers will have to determine the appropriate amount that will be paid by the patient’s health care plan or issuer.

NOTE: Virginia’s own balance billing law became effective January 1, 2021. It protects patients from getting billed by an out-of-network health care provider for emergency services at a hospital. The law also covers certain non-emergency services during a procedure at an in-network hospital or other health care facility.