Yesterday, a letter signed by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and others asks Congress to take action this year to “pass legislation that will protect patients from surprise medical bills and reign in out-of-control health care cost.” The letter outlines several steps to protect patients, most notably, requiring any legislation to encompass all health plans, including self-funded plans governed by ERISA and also recommends setting reimbursement rates based on “what insurers pay similar doctors in a given geographic area or a medicare percentage.” A proper reimbursement policy continues to be the lynch pin in gaining an agreed upon solution. The attached article by Steven Porter of HealthLeaders Media is very insightful and provides a link to the letter.
Hospitals, Insurers At Odds Over Surprise Medical Bills Legislation