A measure that would require a healthcare facility to notify patients of any out-of-network care they receive is moving through the Senate. Senate Bill 505, comes amid patient complaints that an out-of-network provider would participate in their care, often without seeing the patient, resulting in a hefty surprise bill weeks later.
The Senate Health Care Committee approved “Medical Billing Transparency” which would require that patients be notified 72 hours beforehand of who is participating in their case and an estimated cost of services. In the case of an emergency, it requires notification as soon as possible.
“In an emergency, the last thing on someone’s mind should be whether or not the anesthesiologist preparing them for surgery is in or out of their network,” said bill sponsor Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth). “Yet, we know far too often someone is saddled with a surprise bill after receiving care because of that very scenario. This legislation gives patients the n