‘No Surprises’ billing law explained by Kentucky Hospital Association president

LEXINGTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) – The president of the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) is trying to clear up some confusion over a new law on hospital prices.

Earlier this year, the federal No Surprises Act took effect, requiring hospitals to be more transparent with costs to the consumers.

The law “protects Americans from being broadsided, surprised, by unexpected medical bills,” according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. These surprise medical bills may be from an out-of-network provider or facility.

The process of calculating the cost of care is a bit complicated, so on Wednesday, KHA President Nancy Galvagni presented some of the changes taking effect to lawmakers.

Part of the law requires hospitals to provide a good-faith estimate for services.

“You can see the hospital will be reaching out to the surgeon, the pathologist, the anesthesiologist saying this procedure is being scheduled, you need to send in your charges, and then, the hospital would have to put all that together in one good faith estimate to the patient,” said Galvagni.

There is also a new federal dispute resolution process for estimates beyond $400 of the actual cost to consumers.

Camille Hantla contributed to this story.

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