The New Jersey Doctor-Patient Alliance, a social action committee, is aiming to amplify physician's voices regarding out-of-network billing policies, according to NJBIZ.
The group intends to intensify physician involvement in the debate surrounding surprise out-of-network billing, rather than leaving it up to third parties like policymakers and lobbyists, according to the report.
The alliance favors a bill recently introduced by New Jersey Sen. Paul Sarlo over previously introduced out-of-network legislation. Unlike previous versions, Mr. Sarlo's bill doesn't use Medicare rates as a benchmark for resolving surprise, out-of-network bills, according to the report.
The alliance argues using Medicare rates to resolve out-of-network bills would be detrimental to physician practices and hospitals. "The cost of providing medical care in New Jersey has increased 20 percent since 2001. Meanwhile, reimbursements have remained flat or decreased," Peter DeNoble, MD, president and founding member of Doctor-Patient Alliance, told NJBIZ. "It has become difficult for many hospitals and practices to remain solvent."