ACR Member Joins US Senate Roundtable to Discuss Surprise Billing

Ashutosh Rao, MD, a practicing radiologist in Atlanta, was invited to discuss issues related to implementation of the No Surprises Act (NSA) at a roundtable held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), hosted the May 17 roundtable, as well as other members of the committee, to gather information about the legislation’s successes and failures since its passage in 2020 to protect patients from surprise medical bills.

The physician community, including ACR, has previously vocalized concerns about implementation of the act, including the problematic independent dispute resolution (IDR) process, barriers to batching claims and the 600% increased fees required to file for arbitration. Dr. Rao highlighted many of these issues and the specific impact on his medium-sized practice.

Other invited guests included physicians representing anesthesiology and emergency medicine, a representative from an IDR entity and a ground/air ambulance company, insurance industry officials, and spokespersons for patient advocacy groups.

The medical community is hopeful that the HELP Committee will use this information to engage the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to remedy issues surrounding implementation of the NSA.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Ashley Walton, ACR Director of Government Relations.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Ashutosh Rao, MD