Surprise “Out-of-Network” Medical Billing Reform Legislation Up in Committee Tomorrow

Surprise “Out-of-Network” Medical Billing Reform Legislation Up in Committee Tomorrow

NJBIA Position: Support

The “Out-of-Network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act” – S-485 (Vitale, Weinberg) / A-2039 (Coughlin, Schaer, Lampitt) addresses the ever-increasing healthcare costs for “surprise” medical bills and is necessary not only for employers, employees and all consumers, but also for the state to realize savings in the public employee health benefits plans.

Background: This legislation establishes requirements for price transparency and disclosure by healthcare providers and insurance carriers so it’s easier for consumers to understand potential out-of-network costs. It also establishes a dispute resolution process for the payment of “surprise” medical bills that can occur inadvertently or in emergency situations when someone receives treatment from a healthcare provider or at a facility that is not in the person’s health plan network.

Status: On Thursday, April 5, the legislation will be considered in Senate and Assembly committees. The Senate bill (S-485) will be considered in both the Senate Commerce and the Budget & Appropriations committees and the Assembly bill (A-2039) will be considered in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

NJBIA needs your help to keep this legislation moving, and ultimately to Governor Murphy’s desk. Please ask the members of the committees to support S-485 and A-2039. You can view the list of committee members here.

Please contact me at MBeaumont@njbia.org with any comments.

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