ASCP Aligns with AMA on Network Adequacy and Transparency

On Feb. 6, ASCP and other medical societies wrote to Congressional leaders about surprise billing and insurance network adequacy to protect patients from undue, unanticipated healthcare costs.

To craft this letter, the AMA worked with ASCP and other medical specialty societies representing hospital-based physicians and other stakeholders that are frequently affected by out of network (or surprise) billing scenarios. Instances of surprise billing – wherein a patient (consumer) may receive a bill for an episode of care or service they believed to be in-network and therefore covered by their insurance, but was in fact out-of-network – are increasing, and increased interest has been expressed by members of Congress and the Administration of late.

The letter closely aligns with the principles and recommendations contained in an ASCP policy statement released in 2017. The topic of surprise billing and insurance network adequacy has only gained momentum since then, as evidenced by the action AMA and ASCP are urging legislators to take. Both the letter and our policy statement attempt to protect patients from undue financial harm and address their legitimate concerns around insurance network adequacy while considering the needs of physicians in negotiating insurance network contracts.

ASCP will monitor updates on this issue and keep members informed as necessary.  

Other articles in ePolicy News March 2019

Legislation Gutting Laboratory Personnel Licensure Opposed by ASCP
AACC, ASCP Partner on Test Quality
ASCP Wage Survey to Conclude Soon
ASCLS Legislative Symposium Set for March 18-19

To read more articles from ePolicy News click here.

For more information regarding ASCP's advocacy initiatives and policy positions, please contact ASCP's Center for Public Policy at (202) 408-1110.

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