Judge rules surprise-billing arbitration process unlawful

In his ruling, the judge said the Biden administration did not follow federal law for the negotiation process between providers and health insurers

By Rachel Engel

A federal judge in Texas ruled in favor of doctors with the Texas Medical Association in a case over surprise-billing arbitration.

In his ruling, the judge said the Biden administration did not follow federal law for the negotiation process between providers and health insurers. According to Axios, “if surprise medical bills go to arbitration, the arbiter must start by using median in-network insurance rates and then can consider other information like physician experience, according to the federal government’s interpretation of the law.”

Officials with the U.S. Health and Human Services Department did not say whether they would appeal the ruling.