Out-of-network (OON) charges directly impact health care costs in New Jersey. Last year, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey paid more than $1 billion in OON costs. Reforming the current legislation, which allows doctors and hospitals to set prices for OON care that have no correlation to the actual cost of care, is key to slowing rising health costs for all of us.A bill, The Out-of-Network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act, has been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature to protect consumers from surprise medical bills and price gouging by some OON hospitals and doctors. The bill provides consumer protection by prohibiting surprise medical bills from some OON hospitals and doctors in two instances:

• When consumers receive emergency care by OON doctors and hospitals.
• When consumers inadvertently receive care from OON doctors at in-network hospitals and facilities.

Opponents of the bill are trying to stop this legislation and that is why legislators need to hear from you. Contact your local legislators today and ask them to put an end to surprise medical bills and price gouging by some OON doctors and hospitals by supporting The Out-of-Network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act.Find your local legislator by visiting http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.aspThank you for your support.