Becker's Healthcare July 5, 2021
CMS unveiled July 2 the first in a series of rules aimed at shielding patients from surprise billing. The interim final rule addresses several provisions in the No Surprises Act passed by Congress last year.
Most provisions outlined in the proposed rule will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2022.
Ten things to know:
1. Bans surprise billing for emergency services. The interim final rule bans surprise billing for emergency services, regardless of where they are provided. Providers are required to bill emergency services on an in-network basis without prior authorization.
2. Bans high out-of-network cost-sharing for emergency and nonemergency services. CMS proposed that patient cost-sharing, including coinsurance and deductibles, be based on in-network provider rates. This means that...