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On August 24, 2023, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas again largely ruled in favor of the Texas Medical Association and other plaintiffs (including air ambulance providers) and vacated certain regulations[1] and related guidance concerning how the “Qualified Payment Amount” (“QPA”) – one of the factors in the arbitration of out-of-network disputes – is calculated under the No Surprises Act (the “Act”).[2] The Court also vacated certain rules specific to the QPA and Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (“IDR”) process for out-of-network air ambulance services.…

Continue Reading Another No Surprises Act Update: Texas Court Vacates Rules and Guidance Related to the “Qualified Payment Amount”

On August 3, 2023, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas once again ruled in favor of the Texas Medical Association[1] and vacated portions of the guidance related to (i) the administrative fee for the Independent Dispute Resolution (“IDR”) process created by the No Surprises Act (the “Act”) and (ii) the “batching” of claims for the IDR.[2] The Department of Health and Human Services promptly announced that the IDR process is temporarily suspended and will not be available for out-of-network disputes until further notice.…

Continue Reading No Surprises Act Update: Federal IDR Temporarily Suspended After Court Vacates Increased Administrative Fees and Rule for Batching Claims

On February 6, 2023, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled in favor of the Texas Medical Association[1] and vacated portions of the final rule adopted in August 2022 (the “August 2022 Final Rule”) that applied to the Independent Dispute Resolution (“IDR”) process created by the No Surprises Act (the “Act”). [2] The August 2022 Final Rule was adopted by the Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services (the “Departments”) and addressed, in part, the specific factors arbitrators must consider in resolving disputes between out-of-network (“OON”) health care providers/facilities and air ambulance providers (collectively, “Providers”), and health insurance plans, under the Act. This is the second time portions of final rules for the IDR decision-making methods have been vacated by this Court as a result of litigation brought by impacted Providers.…

Continue Reading Another Win for Providers: Texas Federal District Court Again Vacates Independent Dispute Resolution Rule for the No Surprises Act