MEASURE TO PROTECT PATIENTS FROM UNEXPECTED MEDICAL COSTS MOVE FORWARD

Senator Gratwick’s bill would prevent “surprise bills” for medical care

AUGUSTA – Today, the Insurance and Financial Services Committee voted 7-6 to recommend Democratic Senator Geoff Gratwick’s bill to prevent surprise balance billing to patients for their medical care.

The measure, LD 251,  requires hospitals and other health care facilities to inform patients ahead of time that there may be providers involved in their care who are considered “out-of-network” by the patients’ insurance. Patients will then have the opportunity to search out a lower cost, “in-network” provider.

“If a patient goes in for surgery at an in-network hospital, they may not know whether all of the providers involved are in their insurance network,” said Senator Gratwick, who is a physician in Bangor. “Weeks later, they could get a ‘balance’ or  ‘surprise’ bill for the amount charged over and above the in-network fee.”

The bill, LD 251 “An Act to Limit Allowable Health Care Charges in Certain Specified Situations” will next go before the Senate for a vote.

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