Medical bills can contain surprises, even when patients remain in-network.
Will C. Fry / Flickr
The Oregon House of Representatives could vote on a bill next week to stop patients from being hit by some large, unexpected medical bills.
Over the last few years, more and more patients are being hit by "Balance Bills." These occur when a patient goes to an in-network hospital, but one provider — like an anesthesiologist — is out-of-network.
The patient has no idea until they receive a bill for thousands — and sometimes tens of thousands — bacof dollars.
Jesse O’Brien with the consumer group OSPIRG said House Bill 23-39 would take the consumer out of negotiations, “The consumer only pays the in-network rate and then the insurance company and the health care provider have to handle it on the back end.”
Lawmakers are trying to specify exact reimbursement rates for hospitals in various situations.
The bill just passed the house health care committee and could be voted on next week.
It comes out of the State Department of Consumer and Business Services, so it has the backing of Gov. Kate Brown.
