Congress shields patients from unexpected medical bills Amy Goldstein Congress has agreed to shield patients from many big, unexpected medical bills a practice that consumers and politicians have bemoaned for years but that eluded a federal solution until now. A ban on what is known as surprise billing is woven into a pandemic relief package, which lawmakers approved late Monday. The ban is based mainly, but not entirely, on a bipartisan accord this month among three House committees and one in the Senate that had each tried to outlaw the practice before. The issue involves often-large bills that patients are sent for care they did not realize was outside their insurer’s network. Such bills have become increasingly common even when patients use an in-network hospital. At times, emergency room visits can lead to bills for treatment by a physician who has not agreed to participate in the network. And when care is planned in advance, such as for surgerie
UPDATE: $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill in doubt as President Trump refuses to sign The president wants Congress to amend the bill to increase stimulus funds for individuals from $600 to $2,000.
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday has thrown doubt over the $900 bilion coronavirus relief package passed by Congress by refusing to sign the bill. He is asking Congress to amend the bill to increase the $600 stimulus to individuals to $2,000, according to CNN.
Congress this week passed the $2.3 trillion spending package that funds the government through the end of the fiscal year and includes $900 billion in a COVID-19 relief bill.
The bill ends eight months of partisan stalemate for a fifth and final stimulus package that President Trump is expected to sign. Providers get $3 billion, which is far less than the $175 billion included in other provider relief packages earlier this year.
Congress cuts deal to prevent unexpected medical bills
Amy Goldstein, The Washington Post
Dec. 21, 2020
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Congress has agreed to shield patients from many big, unexpected medical bills - a practice that consumers and politicians have bemoaned for years but that eluded a federal solution until now.
A ban on what is known as surprise billing is woven into a pandemic relief package, which lawmakers were expected to approve late Monday. The ban is based mainly, but not entirely, on a bipartisan accord this month among three House committees and one in the Senate that had each tried to outlaw the practice before.
Antibody tests which can show if you had a past coronavirus infection may be more readily accessible, but doctors don t know yet how protected someone might be from getting COVID-19 again if they have antibodies to the new coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted.
Dr. Rahul Khare, an emergency room doctor who also owns urgent care clinics and testing centers in the Chicago area, told NBC News Vicky Nguyen getting a COVID-19 test before seeing family and friends doesn’t guarantee safety, but it can lessen your risk of spreading the virus.
Dr. Gary LeRoy, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, has for months been worried about another wave of infections to come.
The Health 202: Health insurers balk at last-minute deal in Congress on surprise medical bills msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.