No Surprises Dispute Resolution Continues Amid Government Shutdown
Despite the recent federal government shutdown, arbitration for surprise billing disputes under the No Surprises Act remains operational. Consumers and providers can continue submitting disputes through the federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) portal, and arbiters are processing claims as usual.
The No Surprises Act, passed in 2020, protects patients from unexpected out-of-network medical bills. While the IDR process is funded by administrative fees from insurers and providers and remains unaffected for now, other activities tied to the law’s implementation could face delays if the shutdown continues. This includes investigating complaints not related to IDR, oversight, and enforcement of finalized disputes.
The shutdown began after Congress failed to reach an agreement on extending subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans. Although a continuing resolution had allocated $15 million to support enforcement and complaint investigations, it did not pass the Senate before the funding lapse.
Healthcare experts note that a prolonged shutdown may slow responses to inquiries, delay complaint reviews, and impact future rulemaking, including the release of the final IDR rule expected in November. Providers continue to urge regulators to ensure timely insurance payments once disputes are resolved.
For patients and providers navigating surprise medical bills, it’s important to stay informed about IDR procedures and keep track of any updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
For patients and providers navigating surprise medical bills, it’s important to stay informed about IDR procedures and keep track of any updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). That’s where No Surprise Bill can help. As a dedicated Independent Dispute Resolution Service provider, we assist both consumers and providers in resolving out-of-network billing disputes efficiently, providing guidance through every step of the process. Whether you’re facing an unexpected charge or need help submitting a dispute, our team is ready to support you.