Two arbitrators removed from federal surprise billing program
Government revokes contracts for two No Surprises Act arbitrators overseeing payment disputes.
(Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Two companies serving as arbitrators under the No Surprises Act have lost their government contracts to resolve payment disputes between healthcare providers and insurers. The decision marks a shift in the oversight of the federal system designed to protect patients from unexpected medical costs.
The companies were previously authorized to act as independent dispute resolution entities, a core component of the framework established to settle disagreements over out-of-network billing. This system allows for a neutral third party to determine the final payment amount when providers and insurance plans cannot reach an agreement.
The removal of these entities follows the ongoing implementation of the No Surprises Act, which aims to shield consumers from high medical bills. The federal government continues to manage the selection and performance of arbitrators to ensure the integrity of the dispute resolution process.