The recently enacted No Surprises Act (NSA) provides landmark protections against surprise billing in a wide range of settings — but not for ground ambulances. At least half of all ambulance rides may result in a surprise bill, with bills averaging $450. Since consumers cannot choose an ambulance service when they dial 911, patients have little ability to avoid out-of-network charges. The NSA created a ground ambulance advisory committee of stakeholders and experts to develop recommendations related to disclosure of charges, surprise-billing protections, and enforcement mechanisms. However, the committee has not selected members nor published a convening date. A new post from The Commonwealth Fund examines coverage and billing challenges, state actions, and lessons learned from states that could be replicated as the federal advisory committee begins its work.
Read more:
- Protecting Consumers from Surprise Ambulance Bills. The Commonwealth Fund. Nov 15 2021