US Appeals in Case on Surprise Medical Bills Rule

The United States is appealing a district court order declaring that guidance to arbitrators determining out-of-network reimbursement costs was inconsistent with the text of the No Surprises Act of 2020 — a law meant to curb unanticipated medical bills.

The administration’s final rule required arbitrators to consider the median price of a medical service before considering other factors in determining what a patient has to pay out of pocket. Doctors and air ambulance services argued the rule constrained the discretion of arbitrators and did not meet the Administrative Procedure Act’s requirement of reasoned decision-making.

• The consolidated case brought by the ...