Congressional Bill Aims to End Arbitration in No Surprises Act, Shifting Payments to Median In-Network Rates

Rep. Frank Pallone introduced the Lower Premiums, Faster Payments Act, which would eliminate the arbitration system used under the No Surprises Act and replace it with a payment model based on median in‑network rates.

The proposal has drawn praise from academics and consumer‑advocacy groups who view the current arbitration process as costly and opaque. Provider organizations, however, have launched strong opposition, arguing that arbitration has been a lucrative mechanism for them.

If the legislation survives congressional debate, it could reshape how out‑of‑network disputes are settled, potentially lowering costs for insurers and patients while reducing revenue streams for some providers.