CMS releases additional No Surprises Act resources; AHA adds new FAQs to implementation guide

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today released two additional resources to help facilities and providers implement provisions of the No Surprises Act that go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. Specifically, the agency released a series of Frequently Asked Questions related to the good faith estimates that must be provided to uninsured and self-pay patients for most scheduled services or upon request. In addition, the agency, along with the Department of Health and Human Services, released a “Patient-Provider Dispute Resolution Guidance Package.” These guidance documents are intended to help providers, facilities, and uninsured/self-pay patients better understand what information must be included in the good faith estimate and how to initiate the patient-provider dispute resolution process. The guidance package for facilities and providers may be accessed here. 
 
The AHA today also released additional materials to the field, including an updated set of FAQs related to the balance billing notice and consent process. Those FAQs may be accessed in the notice and consent section of the AHA’s surprise billing Implementation Guide. Many of the provisions of the No Surprises Act go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. AHA continues to encourage all facilities and providers to ensure they are aware of these new requirements. More information, including links to additional resources, may be found on the AHA’s surprise billing webpage.