As ISMA gears up for the 2021 legislative session, more work is clearly needed to fully protect patients from surprise medical bills sent by out-of-network (OON) providers and to add a process for physicians to negotiate fair payment with insurers. This week, the Government Relations team will launch a new grassroots campaign to help educate lawmakers on how to improve the surprise billing law that went into effect July 1.

Introducing the new ISMA Action Center

ISMA has created a new advocacy communication tool to improve outreach with federal and state lawmakers, known as the ISMA Action Center. The current campaign on surprising billing contains updated talking points, new fact sheets on independent dispute resolution (IDR) and suggested email language that physicians can personalize and send directly to their legislators.

Access the Action Center on surprise billing here >>

In addition, an email will be sent to members this week with a link to the Action Center. Feel free to forward this email to any physicians who are not already ISMA members so we can expand our efforts on surprise billing to all Hoosier doctors.

After session gets underway, the Action Center will be used to facilitate and track advocacy communication on other issues, as well.

Feedback on new OON law’s impact on your practice

ISMA still wants your feedback on whether this law has affected your ability to negotiate a fair in-network rate with insurers. A link to a survey is available below and in the new Action Center. After results are compiled by the end of the month, ISMA will share this critical feedback during discussions with legislators.

To complete the surprise billing survey, which will close Dec. 31, click here >>