Like many states across the country, Georgia lawmakers are grappling with a rise in consumer complaints related to large, unexpected medical costs. These costs can occur when a patient receives a bill for an episode of care previously believed to be in-network and therefore covered by the insurance company, or when an insurance company contributes less money than expected for a medical service.
Georgia does not currently have laws in place to protect consumers from the practice of balance billing.
Georgia Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford) introduced two pieces of legislation to address surprise medical bills this year. SR 974 created a senate committee to study surprise billing practices in the state. The second bill, SB 382, was a comprehensive consumer protection act designed to curb surprise billing behaviors. The bill did not come before the committee for a vote.
More articles on revenue cycle management issues:
North Carolina bill ramps up financial reporting rules for nonprofit hospitals
One call away: The all-too common mistake hospitals make with customer relationships
Washington state continues efforts to curb balance billing
