A Texas legislator proposed extending the state's surprise medical bill law to include state-assisted arbitration for out-of-network bills issued by free-standing emergency departments.
Under existing law, the Texas Department of Insurance provides mediation services to patients with state-funded health plans who have out-of-network hospital bills totaling a minimum of $500.
The bill, SB 507, would allow the state to mediate balance bills for care administered by out-of-network physicians at in-network free-standing EDs, in addition to in-network hospitals, according to a CBS DFW report. The balance billing mediation would be provided for all services from any emergency care facility or provider.
SB 507 also calls for expansion of the state's disclosure requirements for balance billing and out-of-network status for healthcare providers, facilities and insurers. Specifically, the measure would require providers to include a disclosure stating "this is a balance bill that may be eligible for mediation."
State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, introduced the bill in January. A senate committee is scheduled to hear public comment on the measure March 9.