Surprise Billing Advocacy

Emergency Physicians Are Working to Protect Patients From Surprise Bills

A trip to the emergency department can be an incredibly stressful experience. For someone experiencing a medical emergency, getting quality treatment as soon as possible should be the number one priority—not determining which providers are in-network, how much their deductible is, or thinking about how much treatment will cost. More than half of Americans have received a surprise medical bill in the past year for a cost they thought was covered by their insurance. (NORC) Often, these surprises result from a lack of customer understanding of complex insurance benefits or increasingly high deductibles.

More than half (59 percent) of patients said they wish their insurance company provided plans with lower deductibles, so they could better afford the health care they need.
More than three-quarters (81 percent) of patients believe the majority of costs associated with surprise medical bills are the responsibility of insurance providers.
More than two-thirds (69 percent) of patients prefer a third-party resolution process over allowing the government to set doctors’ rates.
Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans are concerned about the effect government rate setting would have on small communities already facing hospital and doctor shortages.

Source: Morning Consult Poll

Emergency physicians agree that a federal solution would help take patients #OutOfTheMiddle of billing disputes that can sometimes arise between insurers and providers. But, if it’s not done right, patients’ access to care could be in jeopardy and health insurance companies will be the big winners—leaving patients out in the cold.