Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I Summary of Interim Final Rule with Comment

On July 13, 2021, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services and the Office of Personnel Management published in the Federal Register (86 FR 36872) interim final rules with a comment period (IFC). The IFC amends and adds to existing regulations to implement provisions of the No Surprises Act. The No Surprises Act, enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, established protections for enrollees of health plans from surprise medical bills when they receive emergency services, non- emergency services from nonparticipating providers at participating facilities, and air ambulance services from nonparticipating providers of air ambulance services under certain circumstances. Future rules will address the Independent Dispute Resolution process, transparency requirements, patient-provider dispute resolution, and price comparison tools. The rule is accompanied by a model disclosure notice, as well as model notice and consent documents. Comments are due September 7, 2021.