Colorado’s Michael Bennet introduces bipartisan bill to reduce surprise medical bills
David Zalubowski/AP
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet introduced a bipartisan bill in Congress this week that, if passed, will fortify a law intended to prevent surprise medical bills.
The federal “No Surprises Act” went into effect in 2022 and aims to protect patients from unexpected high medical bills, including for emergency services. Insured patients can receive surprise medical bills any time they inadvertently receive care from out-of-network hospitals, doctors or other providers they did not choose, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
But the intent of the law is not being carried out, according to Bennet’s office.
As of June of this year, the Center for Medicare and Medicare Services had received more than 12,000 complaints over alleged provider violations of the No Surprises Act.
The new legislation would increase penalties for insurers who don’t comply with payment deadlines from the 2020 law, create parity between penalties imposed against parties who are not compliant with the law and increase transparency in reporting requirements.
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“For too long, surprise medical billing left Coloradans on the hook for outrageous and unexpected costs after a hospital visit,” according to a statement from 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.”
Bennet introduced the bill alongside Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas.
“We are fighting for patients, who often feel helpless battling the insurers and the healthcare industry,” Marshall said in a statement. “Let’s level the playing field and put patients’ care and positive outcomes above unfair payment practices.”
Coloradans who believe they may have received a surprise medical bill can file a complaint at DOI.Colorado.gov/for-consumers/file-a-complaint.
