Pallone proposes replacing No Surprises Act arbitration with payment benchmarks

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. introduced the Lower Premiums, Faster Payments Act, which would replace the No Surprises Act’s arbitration process for payment disputes between insurers and providers, The Hill reported. Under the proposal, out-of-network providers would be paid the median in-network rate for their services, adjusted for geography.

Pallone said the arbitration system is not working. The Hill reported that of the 2.5 million disputes submitted in 2025, approximately 67 percent came from 10 provider groups. The bill would also ensure providers are paid within 30 days. STAT reported that the proposal will face attacks from provider groups. The Hill said some lawmakers have an appetite to revisit the law, but the proposal would face lobbying from affected groups.