New York State has enacted new laws that are designed to prevent “surprise” bills for medical services.
New York State Public Health Law (PHL) §24, requires physicians and other healthcare professionals to make disclosures to patients and prospective patients regarding out-of-network providers. The intent of this law is to enable healthcare consumers to make an informed decision regarding the use of “out of network” providers, and to avoid receiving surprise bills from providers who do not participate in patients’ health insurance plans.
The new law requires a healthcare professional to disclose to patients or prospective patients the following information:
The health plans in which the healthcare professional is a participating provider
The hospitals with which the healthcare professional is affiliated
The amount or estimated amount that the healthcare professional will bill the patient for healthcare services (healthcare professionals are required to provide this information to patients prior to the provision of nonemergency services)
Identifying information, including health-plan participation, for any other physicians whose services will be used (the hospital must also be informed)
