Daniel Bosley: No more medical billing surprises Published: 3/8/2021 5:35:58 PM In the final days of last year, Congress passed legislation containing COVID-19 relief and government funding. This bill also contained legislation that passed a ban on surprise medical billing to address unfair medical billing practices and provide new guidelines for private insurers. The ban was the result of monthslong negotiations between House and Senate leadership. Congressman Richie Neal was front and center on this issue. This would not have happened without his diligence and leadership. Surprise billing happens when an individual unexpectedly receives medical care from an out-of-network provider. This can occur when a patient receives emergency services at an out-of-network emergency room, or when an out-of-network providers delivers care at an in-network facility. For example, a person needing services who goes to a provider (hospital, doctor, emergency room, etc.) in their insured network, but that provider may send tests or blood work or other services to a provider outside of the patient’s network. This person is then surprised by receiving bills that they thought were covered under their insurance plan.