Employers Urge More Transparency in Surprise Billing Disputes

Employers hope a forthcoming rule to improve surprise medical bill arbitration will strengthen their hand against doctors and improve transparency into insurers’ processes.

The Trump administration is expected to release the rule this month on improving the “independent dispute resolution” process under the No Surprises Act, which requires insurers and doctors to settle most unexpected out-of-network bills themselves instead of billing the patient.

Around 63% of employers either fully or partially self-fund their health plans, putting them directly on the hook for extra costs associated with navigating—and losing—surprise billing arbitration. Data show that doctors win 85% of disputes, and industry ...