No Surprises for COVID–19 Tests Act

Bill 117 HR 6851, also known as the No Surprises for COVID-19 Tests Act, aims to protect consumers from unexpected costs related to COVID-19 testing. The bill was introduced in response to reports of individuals receiving surprise bills for COVID-19 tests, despite the tests being covered by insurance or provided free of charge by the government.

The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Prohibiting surprise billing for COVID-19 tests: The bill would prevent healthcare providers from billing patients for COVID-19 tests that are covered by insurance or provided free of charge by the government. This would ensure that individuals are not faced with unexpected costs for essential testing. 2. Ensuring transparency in billing: The bill would require healthcare providers to clearly disclose the cost of COVID-19 tests to patients before they are administered. This would help individuals make informed decisions about their healthcare and avoid surprise bills. 3. Establishing a dispute resolution process: The bill would create a process for resolving disputes between healthcare providers and insurers over the cost of COVID-19 tests. This would help ensure that patients are not caught in the middle of billing disputes and are not held responsible for excessive charges. Overall, the No Surprises for COVID-19 Tests Act aims to protect consumers from unexpected costs related to COVID-19 testing and promote transparency in healthcare billing. By prohibiting surprise billing, ensuring transparency, and establishing a dispute resolution process, the bill seeks to provide peace of mind to individuals seeking COVID-19 testing during the ongoing pandemic.