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California Assembly Approves Measure To Ban Surprise Medical Bills

California Assembly Approves Measure To Ban Surprise Medical Bills
The Assembly has passed a bill that would prevent patients from getting "surprise" bills from out-of-network doctors.

Insured patients who choose an in-network hospital can get a surprise from out-of-network doctors: a bill for thousands of dollars.

A recent survey from Consumers Union found nearly one out of four hospitalized Californians have received such a bill.

By a 69-1 vote, the Assembly approved Assembly Bill 533, a measure that would ban the practice.

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The nonprofit Health Access California sponsored the Assembly measure. Executive Director Anthony Wright said insured patients who play by the rules shouldn’t be penalized.

“They have no ability to choose the anesthesiologist, the radiologist, the range of doctors that serve them once in that facility," Wright said.

California already prohibits emergency room patients from getting surprise out-of-network bills. 13 other states have limitations on the practice.