Judge Voids Arbitration System in Surprise Medical Billing Rule

A federal judge in Texas on Monday tossed out portions of a rule that established the arbitration process in the federal No Surprises Act, which is meant to shield patients from unanticipated medical bills.

The rule “conflicts with the unambiguous terms of the Act,” by requiring arbitrators to start with the qualifying payment amount and limit the other factors they can consider, Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas said.

The US Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury “have not relinquished their goal of privileging the QPA, tilting ...