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​Balance Billing Public Hearing - October 1, 2015

On Oct. 1, 2015, Commissioner Miller and the Insurance Department held a hearing at the State Muesum in Harrisburg to address the issue of surprise balance billing in Pennsylvania. Balance billing occurs when a consumer, after receiving a service from a health care provider that is in-network for the consumer’s health insurance, receives a bill for all or a portion of the care. This can occur despite the consumer researching all available channels to ensure the healtch care providers and facilities they use are in-network because these providers may contract with out-of-network doctors for additional services. For more information, view the post-hearing press release

An Insurance Department panel of Commissioner Teresa Miller, Executive Deputy Commissioner Seth Mendelsohn, and Chief of Staff Jessica Altman heard testimony from approximately 20 speakers, including consumers, consumer advocates, industry stakeholders, and Senator Judy Schwank, among others. Interested parties that could not attend the event were invited to submit testimony. Submitted testimony is available below, or you may also re-watch the hearing in its entirety

Speakers
Senator Judy Schwank 
Jay Mahoney - Gallen Insurance 
Janice Nathan - Pittsburgh, PA (Skype) 
Greg Martino and Elena Butkus - Aetna 
Maria Charney - Student 
Racheline Sherron - Attorney General's Office 

Other Testimonies