Brown supports legislation protecting patients from surprise bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With Congress working through a lame-duck session, members of the House and Senate have been trying agree on end- of-year bills that include a coronavirus relief bill and the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D- OH) is trying to push Congressional leaders to include bipartisan compromise language to protect patients from surprise medical bills in any year-end government funding package.

On a phone conference with reporters on Wednesday, Brown discussed surprise medical bills and the impact they have on Ohioans.

“The last thing you should have to worry about is whether the ambulance is taking you to an in-network hospital,” said Brown. “This bipartisan comprise includes many of the ideas from my medical bills act that was introduced this fall. It would ensure patients would only be required to pay the in-network co-pay required, even if they’re treated in an out-of-network facility or out-of-network provider. The bill’s not perfect, it’s a huge first step though for patients.”

The prospective bill would ensure patients are only responsible for paying the in-network cost sharing amount of healthcare services in emergencies, including air ambulance rides and qualifying non-emergencies; create a framework for healthcare providers and insurance companies to resolve payment disputes without involving the patient and prohibit certain providers from ‘ balance billing’ patients without written consent from the patient

–––––––––––––––