Recently, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (S.3171/A.264B) protecting patients from excessive out-of-network hospital emergency charges, including hospital inpatient services that follow an emergency room visit. The new law requires health insurance companies to ensure that when enrollees receive care from a non-participating provider, the patient will not incur greater out-of-pocket costs than they would have incurred from a participating provider.

“As a member of the Assembly Health Committee, I was proud to vote in favor of the Patient Protection Act to build upon the legislature’s work in 2014 with the ‘Surprise Medical Bill’ law. We have now enhanced protections for patients to shield them from high medical bills if they visit hospitals that are out-of-network as well,” stated Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. “I look forward to furthering our advocacy this upcoming session with the passage of the Patient Medical Debt Protection Act. I would like to thank Senator Kreuger and Assemblymember Cahill for their leadership in passing this legislation through both chambers.”