Provisions of the No Surprises Act Beginning January 1, 2022

Effective January 1, 2022, The No Surprises Act goes into effect.  This Act, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, is designed to prevent excessive cost sharing on the part of health care consumers when they unknowingly access services of non-network doctors and hospitals.  A Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation study found that 1 in 5 emergency room visits and between 9% to 16% of in-network hospitalizations for non-emergency care include surprise bills.  Other than awareness, employers will not be impacted by any additional regulatory compliance burdens.  Insurers and providers will be responsible for implementing the proper billing procedures.  Health care consumers will benefit.  How this law impacts employer health care costs remains to be seen.

The attached provides more information on the No Suprises Act regulations.