A new editorial in the American Journal of Neuroradiology (AJNR) breaks down the No Surprises Act and describes why the surprise billing arbitration process and qualifying payment amount (QPA), as defined in the government’s final rules, are problematic for radiologists. With a focus on neuroradiology, the article explains why the QPA may not represent “real world” rates yet is the benchmark for payments.
While the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) supports the law and its important patient protections, the negative implications of the government’s implementation of the law may include lost network contracts with insurers, reduced in-network rates and assumption of the costs of arbitration. Lawsuits remain in play.
The AJNR article was authored by radiologists at Oschner and Radiology Partners, in collaboration with ACR’s Economics, Government Relations and Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute® (HPI) teams.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Rula, PhD, Executive Director, HPI.