I’ve featured the American Recovery Act twice before. Tip # 492 drilled down into one portion of that legislation welcoming what’s called “The No Surprises Act.”

Friday, HHS released “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I,” an “interim final” rule (talk about an oxymoron), designed to protect consumers from unknowingly being billed for out of network charges – often while receiving emergency care – when at an in network facility.

Balance billing surprises are prohibited by Medicare and Medicaid but that’s not the case currently with employer sponsored group health plans.

Unfortunately, as I read one summary of the proposed rule, individuals can “waive balance billing protections only after receiving a written Notice that includes detailed information designed to ensure that [they] knowingly accept out of pocket charges from a non-participating provider.”

What?!?!

How will that be different than all the other paperwork the bean counters shove in front of us when we’re admitted (stressed out) to a hospital?

Here’s hoping NAHU – our broker trade association - prods HHS into doing a better job on ‘Part II.’

Otherwise HHS, tell us what happens when we refuse to sign those ‘Notices.’