Yes, while out-of-network bills are an unpleasant reality for too many Americans, there is some justification for them. (Photo: Shutterstock)
When the Senate announced last week a bipartisan bill to put an end to surprise medical bills, it seemed like a slam dunk: finally, something Democrats and Republicans could agree on! Who wouldn't want to put an end to costly, often unexpected out-of-network medical bills burdening health care consumers?
Out-of-network providers who don't want to be beholden to price constraints set by outsiders, that's who.
In response to the Senate proposal, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons issued a statement shedding light on the other side of the debate: the harm done to independent providers. Such regulations would give too much power to managed-care organizations, AAPS argues, allowing “third-party payers that are effectively accountable to no one” to set prices, which will drive out independent providers who do not participate in a carrier's network.
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
