AR | As of January 1, 2022, consumers have new billing protections when getting emergency care, non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers. Through new rules aimed to protect consumers, excessive out-of-pocket costs will be restricted, and emergency services must continue to be covered without any prior authorization, regardless of whether or not a provider or facility is in-network.
The No Surprises Act, protects you from:
• Surprise bills for covered emergency out-of-network services, including air ambulance services (but not ground ambulance services), and
• Surprise bills for covered non-emergency services at an in-network facility.
The law applies to health insurance plans starting in 2022. It applies to the self-insured health plans that employers offer as well as plans from health insurance companies.
• A facility (such as a hospital or freestanding emergency room [ER]) or a provider may not bill you more than your in-network coinsurance, copays, or deductibles for emergency services, even if the facility or provider is out-of-network.
• If your health plan requires you to pay copays, coinsurance, and/or deductibles for in-network care, you are responsible for those.
• The new law also protects you when you receive non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. An out-of-network provider may not bill you more than your in-network copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for covered services performed at an in-network facility.