The American College of Radiology (ACR) and two other medical associations are pleased with the U.S. government’s decision to “hold” on its appeal of a federal court ruling in Texas on the interim final rule (IFR) for the No Surprises Act.
After initially filing an appeal on April 22 on the ruling to toss out the portions of the interim final rule covering arbitration between insurers and providers, the government subsequently asked the court to hold its appeal pending the release of the surprise billing final rule this summer. The ACR, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and the American Society of Anesthesiologists called the hold request -- which was granted by the court on May 3 -- a step in the right direction.
Furthermore, the groups said they would work with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, other federal agencies, legal partners, and patient advocates to ensure the final rule complies with the text and spirit of the No Surprises Act and the Texas court ruling.
Nonetheless, the organizations said they remain ready to proceed with the case if the federal government fails to adhere to the district court's order to create an independent dispute resolution (IDR) in accordance with the No Surprises Act legislation.
"We urge the agencies to come together to implement the IDR process fairly, equitably, and consistently with the No Surprises Act," they said in a statement.
