In the HHS terms and conditions for eligibility for the emergency relief funds, the agency uses the language: “HHS broadly views every patient as a possible case of COVID-19.” When hospitals received the first wave of funding, they had to sign a form saying that “for all care for a possible or actual case of COVID-19,” the provider wouldn’t charge more out of pocket if the patient’s insurance plan was out of network, a practice known as surprise billing.
Analysts are questioning whether the phrasing could in effect ban all balance billing during the pandemic at the federal level. The practice is banned in some states. Such a step would represent a huge change for the industry, as Congress to this point has been unable to come together on a nationwide solution for balance billing.
In a statement to Kaiser Health News, an HHS spokesperson said, “The intent of the terms and conditions was to bar balance billing for actual or presumptive COVID-19. We are clarifying this in the terms and conditions.”
Read the full report here.
More articles on healthcare finance:
Hospital CEOs blast distributing stimulus funds based on Medicare revenue
State-by-state breakdown of federal aid per COVID-19 case
Kansas hospital closes under pressure from COVID-19
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.