By: Cassie Miller
Federal protections against surprise medical bills are now in effect, the commonwealth’s top insurance official reminded Pennsylvanians Thursday.
“The implementation of the No Surprises Act is a huge step toward ending unexpected and all-too-often financially devastating medical bills,” Insurance Department Commissioner Jessica Altman said.
The newly enacted federal law took effect on Jan. 1. It prevents patients from receiving surprise medical bills by “requiring that emergency services are billed as in-network, without needing prior approval” and by banning specific “out-of-network charges and balance billing without advance notice,” according to the department