“For far too long, our constituents have done everything right at the doctor’s office or hospital yet still found themselves stuck with surprise medical bills, sometimes to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. And frequently, they have to fight these bills at the same time they are facing a medical crisis.” (Senator Bill Cassidy, MD)
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people who are under-insured or uninsured. This means that they either do not have health insurance, or their health insurance does not cover all of the costs associated with their care. As a result, these individuals are often responsible for paying the entire cost of their care out-of-pocket. This can be a significant financial burden, especially for those struggling with chronic conditions like mental illness or substance use disorders.
The No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates can help to protect these individuals by ensuring that they do not have to pay the entire cost of their care out-of-pocket.
What is the No Surprises Act?
What are Good Faith Estimates?
Enterprise-scale treatment programs have the potential to make a significant impact on the mental health of their communities. However, patient retention is essential to the success of these programs. Patient retention ensures that patients receive the care they need to recover from their illness and maintain sobriety. It also allows treatment providers to track their patient’s progress and assess their treatment methods’ success.
The Benefits of the No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates
The benefits of the No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates are threefold:
Lower Premiums
Protection for Those Who are Underinsured or Uninsured
Better Information for Consumers
What Does the No Surprises Act Mean for Providers?
The No Surprises Act will have a few different implications for providers. First, providers will be required to give patients a Good Faith Estimate of their expected share of the costs associated with their care. Second, providers will be prohibited from billing patients more than their expected share of the cost of their care. This means that if a patient’s insurance does not cover the full cost of their care, the provider cannot bill the patient for the remaining balance. Third, providers will be required to give patients a refund if they are billed more than their expected share of the cost of their care. Finally, the No Surprises Act will create a new appeals process for patients who believe that they have been incorrectly billed for their care.
