Stimulus bill to rid patients of "surprise" medical bills
December 22, 2020 / 10:55 AM
/ AP
Congress passes $900 billion COVID-19 package
People with private health insurance will see the nasty shock of "surprise" medical bills virtually gone, thanks to the coronaviruscompromise bill passed by Congress.
The charges that can run from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars come from doctors and hospitals that are outside the network of a patient's health insurance plan. It's estimated that about 1 in 5 emergency visits and 1 in 6 inpatient admissions will trigger a surprise bill.
Although lawmakers of both parties long agreed that the practice amounted to abusive billing, a lobbying war between doctors and insurers had thwarted a compromise, allowing the impasse to become a symbol of dysfunction in Washington.