On Tuesday, the House of Representatives supported State Representative Ben Smaltz’s (R-Auburn) bill that would protect Hoosiers from surprise medical billing.

Smaltz said surprise billing occurs when an individual goes to an in-network health care provider for a service, but is seen by an out-of-network physician. The patient then receives a large medical bill not covered by insurance. According to Smaltz, one example would be when a person is having surgery, and their surgeon is covered by insurance, but other medical providers like an anesthesiologist is out-of-network.

State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne), co-author of the bill, said legislation would prohibit health care providers from billing an in-network patient for amounts exceeding in-network rates, which are usually covered by their insurance. Patients would still be responsible for any deductibles, copayments and coinsurance amounts. Hoosiers could opt to receive services from out-of-network providers if they choose.