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Key Findings from the Study

Researchers reviewed data from 17,351 privately insured adults. Of these, 8,204 lived in states newly protected by the NSA, while 9,147 were in states that already had consumer protections in place.

• $567 in annual savings: Patients in the new intervention states saw the largest drop in yearly out-of-pocket costs.
• Greater impact than other policies: By comparison, Medicaid expansion was linked to $152 in savings per year, while Medicare drug pricing changes under the Inflation Reduction Act are projected to save about $400 annually.
• 10 million surprise bills prevented: A Blue Cross Blue Shield survey estimated that the NSA averted this many unexpected bills in just the first nine months of 2023.

Challenges Still Ahead

While the law is helping patients, some issues remain:

1. Premium savings not realized: The Congressional Budget Office predicted premiums could fall 0.5% to 1%, but that hasn’t happened.
2. Provider disputes: Providers have won about 85% of disputes since late 2023, often securing payments far above the median in-network rate. Many of these disputes come from a small group of providers backed by private equity firms.
3. High-cost care remains an issue: The NSA reduces surprise bills but hasn’t significantly lowered high-burden medical costs.

Policy Recommendations

The researchers recommend steps to strengthen protections and improve patient outcomes:

• Extend NSA protections to ambulance services, a common source of surprise billing.
• Improve healthcare literacy so patients better understand their rights.
• Increase public awareness campaigns about NSA protections.
• Enforce penalties against providers who violate the law.

What This Means for Patients

The findings are encouraging for insured Americans who have long struggled with surprise medical bills. While challenges in the dispute resolution process need addressing, the NSA is already saving patients hundreds of dollars each year and preventing millions of unexpected bills.

At No Surprise Bill, we are committed to helping patients, providers, and insurers navigate the complexities of the No Surprises Act billing practices. Our mission is to ensure transparency, compliance, and protection against unexpected medical costs. If you’ve experienced surprise billing or need expert guidance on how the law applies to you, our team is here to help.

Visit today to learn more about your rights, get support with billing disputes, and take control of your healthcare costs.