The American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American College of Radiology praised a final rule aimed at improving the Independent Dispute Resolution process under the No Surprises Act.
The rule, released May 28 by the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury, includes changes designed to increase transparency and streamline payment disputes between providers and insurers, according to a May 29 news release.
Among the reforms are a reduction in administrative fees and new transparency requirements, including the use of standardized claim adjustment and remittance advice codes to help providers determine whether claims are eligible for the IDR process.
The rule also establishes clearer timelines, enhanced communication standards and stronger expectations for good-faith negotiations between parties before disputes enter arbitration.
The groups said the changes address longstanding concerns about the IDR system but urged federal agencies to ensure consistent enforcement, particularly when insurers fail to make payments after physicians prevail in the dispute process, according to the release.