Health policy
CMS removes two companies from federal surprise-billing arbitration program
The two companies cannot take new disputes while they consider appealing their decertification.
CMS denied recertification applications for Island Peer Review Organization and Network Medical Review Company, removing the companies from the federal independent dispute resolution program for out-of-network medical bills. STAT reported the administration cited a failure to meet minimum performance standards. Healthcare Dive reported that CMS did not specify why the companies failed to meet those standards.
The CMS notice cited requirements related to timeliness, accuracy, independence and impartiality, according to Healthcare Dive. While decertified, the companies cannot take on new disputes. CMS will contact parties with ongoing cases about next steps. Both companies are considering appeals, and decertified entities have 30 days to contest the decision, Healthcare Dive reported.
