ASCP Joins AMA on Surprise Billing Letter

On November 5, ASCP joined together with the American Medical Association and more than 100 other medical specialty societies to express concern about the Interim Final Rule (IFC) released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The September 1 IFC implements the No Surprises Act (NSA), which was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and addresses surprise billing at the federal level.

ASCP voiced concerned that this rule will make it more difficult for pathologists and other physicians to receive fair payment for services and to enter into meaningful contract negotiations with insurance companies. ASCP opposes the regulation’s directive to independent dispute resolution (IDR) entities to consider the offer closest to the Qualifying Payment Amount (QPA) as the appropriate payment amount. 

As most insurance markets are highly concentrated with narrow networks, health plans will have little incentive to offer fair contract rates unless changes are made to the interim final rule restoring the negotiation incentives established by Congress. As a result, ASCP is in favor of provisions in the NSA providing balance between physicians and insurance companies while keeping patients out of billing disputes. 

ASCP will submit a formal comment letter to the Biden Administration regarding the IFC by December 6.
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