Biden admin releases first rule banning surprise medical bills
July 7, 2021The Biden administration has released an interim final rule that bans surprise billing and certain out-of-network charges, implementing a law passed by Congress late last year.
The 411-page interim final rule released Thursday by the departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Treasury will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, for providers and for insurance plans that begin on or after Jan. 1, 2022. The regulation is the first part to address surprise billing and affects people enrolled in employer-sponsored or individual market plans.
Other provisions of the rule include banning out-of-network charges without advance notice, out-of-network charges for ancillary care and any out-of-network charge for cost-sharing for emergency and nonemergency services.