Michigan governor signs surprise billing law — 5 things to know

Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Oct. 22 that's meant to curtail surprise medical billing, according to MiBiz.

What you should know:

1. Under the new law, healthcare providers are required to give patients advance notice that their insurer may not cover all services and that they may request care from an in-network provider.

2. Providers must also make patients aware that any out-of-network provider is responsible for giving a "good-faith" cost estimate for services.

3. In emergency situations, an out-of-network provider must accept either the median payment amount health insurers pay to in-network providers, or 150 percent of what Medicare pays for a medical service, whichever is greater.

4. Patients will still be responsible for customary copays or deductibles.

5. Providers may request additional payment for services in emergency cases. If denied, providers can begin an appeals process within the Michigan Department of Finance and Insurance Services.

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