Several Ohio House Republicans are backing a bill that they say provides options to avoid "surprise billing", when patients get unexpected big invoices from out of network providers after visiting an in-network hospital or health care facility.
鈥淪urprise medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in Ohio," said Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), introducing his proposal that he says will stop it.
Holmes - joined by Republican Reps. Jim Butler (R-Oakwood), Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) and Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) - doesn鈥檛 regulate billing or have mandates on insurers. He said creates options for out-of-network providers such as anesthesiologists or ER doctors. They can choose to be paid the in-network rate, to negotiate a different rate, or go to a third party for 鈥渂aseball style鈥� arbitration with the insurer.
But Holmes said the patient is protected: 鈥淣o fault for patients. That鈥檚 the number one thing that we鈥檙e going to get out of this and end the surprise bills.鈥�
Holmes said one-third of privately insured Ohioans report having received a surprise medical bill. And he said a recent study from Stanford University reported the average "surprise bill" tripled over the last seven years to more than $2000.
Two state senators - Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) and Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) have introduced a different. But Holmes said his House bill will reduce insurance costs to purchasers such as businesses.
Holmes said he鈥檚 willing to take this idea to Gov. Mike DeWine, , saying it could duplicate federal efforts on that issue.
