"Like the December compromise package, the new proposals ensure that consumers will not face surprise bills beyond what they'd pay in cost-sharing for in-network providers. The proposals differ, however, in how they establish what insurers will pay out-of-network providers. The Ways and Means bill relies on voluntary negotiation backed up by independent dispute resolution (IDR) and thus aligns more closely with the approach advocated by hospitals and physician groups. The Education and Labor bill follows the approach in the December proposal by creating a payment standard with a backup IDR process -- thereby attempting to bridge the gap between health care providers and insurers."  MORE >>