An effort to do away with “surprise medical bills” narrowly failed in the California Legislature last year, but patient and consumer advocates think they can resurrect it this year. Ben Bradford reports from Sacramento.
Say you get an MRI at a hospital that’s in your insurance provider’s network, but the results are sent to an outside radiologist, who then bills you at a high rate— that’s a surprise medical bill. Legislation to stop them fell three votes shy of reaching the governor’s desk last year. Anthony Wright of the advocacy group Health Access says backers—which include unions, consumer groups, and insurers—will again petition lawmakers.
Wright: "We believe that with this increased pressure and campaign and urgency, we will be able to get this passed this year."
Physicians groups oppose the bill, because it would cause doctors to be reimbursed at Medicare rates. Janus Norman of the California Medical Association says it would limit patients’ choices and access.
Norman: "It essentially cuts physician compensation by two-thirds. It essentially is telling providers there is no need for the health plan to contract with you."
Analysis by the California Health Benefits Review Program says doctors would be paid less if the bill becomes law. But it also says it’s unlikely that would decrease the number of doctors available to perform services.