Overview of rules & fact sheets

Overview of rules & fact sheets

Rules focused on specific protections and provisions

On July 1, 2021, the “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I,” interim final rule was issued to restrict surprise billing for patients in job-based and individual health plans who get emergency care, non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers.

On September 30, 2021, a second interim final rule was issued and is open for public comment. The “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II” rule provides additional protections against surprise medical bills, including:

  • Establishing an independent dispute resolution process to determine out-of-network payment amounts between providers (including air ambulance providers) or facilities and health plans.
  • Requiring good-faith estimates of medical items or services for uninsured (or self-paying) individuals.
  • Establishing a patient-provider dispute resolution process for uninsured (or self-paying) individuals to determine payment amounts due to a provider or facility under certain circumstances.
  • Providing a way to appeal certain health plan decisions.

Together, these lay the groundwork to provide consumers with protection against surprise billing, starting in 2022. Learn more about how these rules help consumers.

On November 17, 2021, a third interim final rule was issued and is open for public comment. The “Prescription Drug and Health Care Spending” rule implements new requirements for group health plans and issuers to submit certain information about prescription drug and health care spending. This includes, among other things, information on the most frequently dispensed and costliest drugs, and enrollment and premium information, including average monthly premiums paid by employees versus employers.

How do these rules affect providers, facilities, and air ambulance providers?

Similar to health plans, the rules lay out the independent dispute resolution process that providers, facilities, and air ambulance providers can follow in the case of certain out-of-network claims when open negotiations don’t result in an agreed-upon payment amount. Providers, facilities and air ambulance providers will be required to meet deadlines, attest to no conflicts of interest, choose a certified independent dispute resolution entity, submit a payment offer and provide additional information if needed. This could include information like level of training, experience, and severity of condition.

Providers, facilities and air ambulance providers are also required to give uninsured (or self-pay) individuals good-faith estimates of expected charges for scheduled health care services, and may have to participate in a patient-provider payment dispute resolution process if their billed charges are higher than the good-faith estimates.

Fact sheets

Guidance & technical resources

Independent dispute resolution process

Good faith estimates & the patient-provider dispute resolution process

Disclosures, notice & consent

Insurance ID cards

Proposed rules

On September 10, 2021, a proposed rule was released on the reporting of air ambulance costs, insurance agent and broker compensation, and enforcement of various requirements as a part of continuing efforts to implement provisions to protect patients from surprise billing. Comments on the proposed rule are open until October 18, 2021. Read the Air Ambulance NPRM – Fact Sheet to learn more about the proposed requirements.

Page Last Modified:
07/06/2022 02:03 PM
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