The American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) is encouraged by progress made this week on the “No Surprises Act” in the House of Representatives, bi-partisan legislation designed to ban balance billing for emergency services of insured patients. Furthermore, it would set a reimbursement rate as the health insurers’ median in-network amount.

The No Surprises Act was rolled into the “Reauthorizing and Extending America’s Community Health (REACH) Act” (H.R. 2328). Doctors Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN) introduced an amendment adding an independent dispute resolution (IDR) to the appeals process for appealing in-network reimbursement rates.

Although this was a step forward, and an important reminder of the collective power of all the physicians who spoke out, the final version included a $1,250 threshold (based on the median in-network rate) to initiate IDR.

This compromise effectively excludes all emergency physician services from the legislation.

In advance of the August Congressional Recess two other House committees will take up their own versions of the surprise billing legislation. It is vital for emergency physicians to speak up regarding this important issue.

In partnership with Emergency Medicine Action Fund (EMAF), we encourage you to utilize the most recent action alert to contact your legislators. This simple process connects you with your representative and offers language on this important issue.

Thank you for lending your voice and expertise to this critical issue.