NEWS & INSIGHTS
No Surprises Act news.
Reported and sourced.
Updates on federal IDR, provider reimbursement, payer policies, and healthcare legislation.
ACEP shares insurer participation analysis with Congress
ACEP, ACR, and ASA sent Congress an analysis arguing that insurer payment practices and nonparticipation contribute to federal IDR disputes.
ACEP · September 22, 2026Read summary ↗Policy & EnforcementPhysician groups urge Congress to strengthen NSA enforcement
Radiology Business reports that radiology, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine societies are urging Congress to strengthen enforcement of the No Surprises Act and preserve independent dispute resolution.
Radiology Business · September 23, 2026Read summary ↗LegislationFederal bill would restrict corporate control of medical practices
Elevare Law reports that Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Jeff Merkley introduced the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act, a proposal to restrict corporate ownership and control of medical practices.
Elevare Law · September 17, 2026Read summary ↗Policy PaperParagon proposes changes to federal IDR arbitration
A Paragon Health Institute policy paper recommends reducing the scope of federal independent dispute resolution under the No Surprises Act and changing how arbitration operates.
Paragon Health InstituteRead summary ↗Agency AnnouncementAHA reports addition of a 17th certified IDR entity
The American Hospital Association reports that the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury added Physio Solutions, LLC as a certified independent dispute resolution entity, bringing the total to 17 at the time of the announcement.
American Hospital Association · September 11, 2026Read summary ↗Congressional OversightPallone seeks information from six IDR entities
MedCity News reports that Representative Frank Pallone Jr. sent oversight letters to six IDR entities requesting information about their No Surprises Act arbitration practices.
MedCity News · September 7, 2026Read summary ↗Payer PolicyUnitedHealthcare announces prior-authorization reductions
Forbes reports that UnitedHealthcare announced the removal of prior-authorization requirements for approximately 1,700 codes tied to treatments and procedures, with implementation scheduled for October 1, 2026.
Forbes · September 1, 2026Read summary ↗Provider ReimbursementIllinois providers report lower payments under downcoding policy
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that therapists and pediatricians experienced reduced Blue Cross Blue Shield reimbursements after claims were reassigned to lower-paying codes.
Chicago Sun-Times · August 26, 2026Read summary ↗Research ReportStudy estimates $22.4 billion in costs associated with IDR
Fierce Healthcare reports that Georgetown University researchers estimated $22.4 billion in costs associated with the No Surprises Act’s IDR process through the end of 2025.
Fierce Healthcare · August 26, 2026Read summary ↗Court RulingFifth Circuit rules on QPA calculation provisions
STAT reports that the Fifth Circuit ruled in favor of providers on two disputed parts of the federal methodology for calculating the qualifying payment amount, or QPA, in Texas Medical Association litigation.
STAT · August 12, 2026Read summary ↗Data ReportingFederal IDR data prompt debate over awards and dispute volumes
The New York Times reports that newly released federal data showed approximately 2.5 million IDR cases filed in 2025 and nearly $15 billion in provider awards, alongside federal officials’ concerns about the system.
The New York Times · July 22, 2026Read summary ↗More from the original sources
NSA IDR questions and answers · Claim identification explained