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What is the No Surprises Act?

The No Surprises Act is a federal law that took effect on January 1, 2022. It protects patients from unexpected out-of-network charges in certain situations.

Before this law, you could go to an in-network hospital and still receive surprise bills from out-of-network doctors you did not choose, such as anesthesiologists or radiologists.

When does the law protect you?

The No Surprises Act applies in three main situations:

• Emergency services at any facility (in-network or out-of-network).
• Non-emergency services at in-network facilities from out-of-network providers.
• Air ambulance services from out-of-network providers.

What the law requires

Under the No Surprises Act, you can only be charged in-network rates for covered services. Providers cannot balance bill you for the difference between their charges and what insurance pays.

If you receive a surprise bill that violates these protections, you have the right to dispute it.

How to dispute a surprise bill

If you believe you received an illegal surprise bill, take these steps:

• Gather documentation: Keep the bill, your EOB, and any communications.
• Contact your insurer: Ask them to reprocess the claim as in-network.
• File a complaint: Use CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) complaint form.
• Contact the provider: Inform them the bill violates the No Surprises Act.