26 USC 9817 - Ending surprise air ambulance bills

U.S Code last checked for updates: Jan 18, 2025

§ 9817.

Ending surprise air ambulance bills

(a)

In general

In the case of a participant or beneficiary in a group health plan who receives air ambulance services from a nonparticipating provider (as defined in section 9816(a)(3)(G)) with respect to such plan, if such services would be covered if provided by a participating provider (as defined in such section) with respect to such plan—

(1)

the cost-sharing requirement with respect to such services shall be the same requirement that would apply if such services were provided by such a participating provider, and any coinsurance or deductible shall be based on rates that would apply for such services if they were furnished by such a participating provider;

(2)

such cost-sharing amounts shall be counted towards the in-network deductible and in-network out-of-pocket maximum amount under the plan for the plan year (and such in-network deductible shall be applied) with respect to such items and services so furnished in the same manner as if such cost-sharing payments were with respect to items and services furnished by a participating provider; and

(3)

the group health plan shall—

(A)

not later than 30 calendar days after the bill for such services is transmitted by such provider, send to the provider, an initial payment or notice of denial of payment; and

(B)

pay a total plan payment, in accordance with, if applicable, subsection (b)(6), directly to such provider furnishing such services to such participant, beneficiary, or enrollee that is, with application of any initial payment under subparagraph (A), equal to the amount by which the out-of-network rate (as defined in section 9816(a)(3)(K)) for such services and year involved exceeds the cost-sharing amount imposed under the plan for such services (as determined in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2)).

(b)

Determination of out-of-network rates to be paid by health plans; independent dispute resolution process

(1)

Determination through open negotiation

(A)

In general

(B)

Accessing independent dispute resolution process in case of failed negotiations

(2)

Independent dispute resolution process available in case of failed open negotiations

(A)

Establishment

(B)

Authority to continue negotiations

(C)

Clarification

(3)

Treatment of batching of services

(4)

IDR entities

(A)

Eligibility

(B)

Selection of certified IDR entity

(5)

Payment determination

(A)

In general

Not later than 30 days after the date of selection of the certified IDR entity with respect to a determination for qualified IDR ambulance services, the certified IDR entity shall—

(i)

taking into account the considerations specified in subparagraph (C), select one of the offers submitted under subparagraph (B) to be the amount of payment for such services determined under this subsection for purposes of subsection (a)(3); and

(ii)

notify the provider or facility and the group health plan party to such determination of the offer selected under clause (i).

(B)

Submission of offers

Not later than 10 days after the date of selection of the certified IDR entity with respect to a determination for qualified IDR air ambulance services, the provider and the group health plan party to such determination—

(i)

shall each submit to the certified IDR entity with respect to such determination—

(I)

an offer for a payment amount for such services furnished by such provider; and

(II)

such information as requested by the certified IDR entity relating to such offer; and

(ii)

may each submit to the certified IDR entity with respect to such determination any information relating to such offer submitted by either party, including information relating to any circumstance described in subparagraph (C)(ii).

(C)

Considerations in determination

(i)

In general

In determining which offer is the payment to be applied pursuant to this paragraph, the certified IDR entity, with respect to the determination for a qualified IDR air ambulance service shall consider—

(I)

the qualifying payment amounts (as defined in section 9816(a)(3)(E)) for the applicable year for items or services that are comparable to the qualified IDR air ambulance service and that are furnished in the same geographic region (as defined by the Secretary for purposes of such subsection) as such qualified IDR air ambulance service; and

(II)

subject to clause (iii), information on any circumstance described in clause (ii), such information as requested in subparagraph (B)(i)(II), and any additional information provided in subparagraph (B)(ii).

(ii)

Additional circumstances

For purposes of clause (i)(II), the circumstances described in this clause are, with respect to air ambulance services included in the notification submitted under paragraph (1)(B) of a nonparticipating provider, or group health plan the following:

(I)

The quality and outcomes measurements of the provider that furnished such services.

(II)

The acuity of the individual receiving such services or the complexity of furnishing such services to such individual.

(III)

The training, experience, and quality of the medical personnel that furnished such services.

(IV)

Ambulance vehicle type, including the clinical capability level of such vehicle.

(V)

Population density of the pick up location (such as urban, suburban, rural, or frontier).

(VI)

Demonstrations of good faith efforts (or lack of good faith efforts) made by the nonparticipating provider or nonparticipating facility or the plan to enter into network agreements and, if applicable, contracted rates between the provider and the plan during the previous 4 plan years.

(iii)

Prohibition on consideration of certain factors

(D)

Effects of determination

(E)

Costs of independent dispute resolution process

(6)

Timing of payment

(7)

Publication of information relating to the IDR process

(A)

In general

For each calendar quarter in 2022 and each calendar quarter in a subsequent year, the Secretary shall publish on the public website of the Department of the Treasury—

(i)

the number of notifications submitted under the IDR process during such calendar quarter;

(ii)

the number of such notifications with respect to which a final determination was made under paragraph (5)(A);

(iii)

the information described in subparagraph (B) with respect to each notification with respect to which such a determination was so made.2

 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

(iv)

the number of times the payment amount determined (or agreed to) under this subsection exceeds the qualifying payment amount;

(v)

the amount of expenditures made by the Secretary during such calendar quarter to carry out the IDR process;

(vi)

the total amount of fees paid under paragraph (8) during such calendar quarter; and

(vii)

the total amount of compensation paid to certified IDR entities under paragraph (5)(E) during such calendar quarter.

(B)

Information with respect to requests

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the information described in this subparagraph is, with respect to a notification under the IDR process of a nonparticipating provider, or group health plan—

(i)

a description of each air ambulance service included in such notification;

(ii)

the geography in which the services included in such notification were provided;

(iii)

the amount of the offer submitted under paragraph (2) by the group health plan and by the nonparticipating provider expressed as a percentage of the qualifying payment amount;

(iv)

whether the offer selected by the certified IDR entity under paragraph (5) to be the payment applied was the offer submitted by such plan or issuer (as applicable) or by such provider and the amount of such offer so selected expressed as a percentage of the qualifying payment amount;

(v)

ambulance vehicle type, including the clinical capability level of such vehicle;

(vi)

the identity of the group health plan or health insurance issuer or air ambulance provider with respect to such notification;

(vii)

the length of time in making each determination;

(viii)

the compensation paid to the certified IDR entity with respect to the settlement or determination; and

(ix)

any other information specified by the Secretary.

(C)

IDR entity requirements

(D)

Clarification

(8)

Administrative fee

(A)

In general

(B)

Amount of fee

(9)

Waiver authority

(c)

Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(1)

Air ambulance services

(2)

Qualifying payment amount

(3)

Nonparticipting provider

(Added Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title I, § 105(a)(3)(A), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2844.)

cite as: 26 USC 9817