12/04/2020

For more than a year, Congress has had major bipartisan bills in hand that would comprehensively shield patients and consumers from surprise medical bills, however Congress has yet to move critical legislation forward. Patients with serious and chronic conditions routinely require medical treatment to maintain their health. However, during the pandemic, patients are being asked to shift their care to different providers and facilities to minimize exposure or to ensure patients with COVID have the ability to seek and receive treatment away from those who may be at risk of infection. These shifts, while necessary to contain the virus, may result in out-of-network care – increasing consumers’ risk of receiving a surprise medical bill. Fear of exorbitant costs and surprise medical bills should not keep patients and consumers away from care for treatment of COVID-19 or any other underlying medical condition. Now more than ever, amid recent media reports that patients are receiving surprise medical bills stemming from COVID treatment, it is urgent that Congress act now to enact bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills. Our patients are frustrated that they continue to be exposed to this predatory practice at a time when they are extremely concerned about their physical and financial wellbeing.