Out-of-Network and Surprise Billing

Expanded Protections for New York Health Consumers

On April 1, 2015 an important new law took effect providing new protections to New York’s health care consumers.  The Out-of-Network law (OON law) provides safeguards against unexpected bills from out-of-network health care providers that do not participate with a patient’s health care plan.  The OON law also provides consumers with access to more information about the charges they might incur when they decide to see an out-of-network provider and will enable consumers who want to see providers outside their plan’s network to have their request reviewed by an outside party.

The new law offers sensible reforms that promote greater transparency and protect consumers from unexpected and excessive doctor bills.