Ohio's No Surprise Medical Billing Law Becomes Effective

A new Ohio law went into effect January 12th that shields patients from receiving and paying surprise medical bills after certain unanticipated treatment.   Surprise medical bills typically range from thousands of dollars, and a recent national study indicates that unexpected medical bills, including surprising medical bills, lead the list of expenses most Americans fear they cannot afford. 

The law protects patients from receiving and paying surprise medical bills above the patient’s in-network rate from health care providers for emergency care or, in certain circumstances, unanticipated out-of-network provider and including lab/pathology services.  Cost sharing amounts, which include coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles, are limited to the patient’s lower in-network amounts.  

The Ohio Department of Insurance will be aggressive to protect consumers on matters relating to surprise medical billing.  The Department urges anyone with surprise medical billing questions or concerns contact their consumer hotline at 1-800-686-1526.