In Texas, Progress Toward Prohibiting ‘Surprise Billing’ by Freestanding ERs

In Texas, Progress Toward Prohibiting ‘Surprise Billing’ by Freestanding ERs

Protecting patients against the suspect billing practices—especially “surprise billing”—of freestanding emergency rooms seems to be a high priority in the Texas legislature. Most recently, a bill that offers patients more ways to contest bills was signed into law; Senate Bill 507 expands the use of mediation to contest surprise medical bills. This problem is perceived as especially great in Texas, which is home to more than half of the freestanding ERs in the country. Further, …

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