A survey by Consumer Report found 41 percent of Georgia residents said they have received an unexpected medical bill within the past two years.
Like many states across the country, Georgia lawmakers are grappling with a rise in consumer complaints related to large, unexpected medical costs. These costs can occur when a patient receives a bill for an episode of care previously believed to be in-network and therefore covered by the insurance company, or when an insurance company contributes less money than expected for a medical service.
Georgia does not currently have laws in place to protect consumers from the practice of balance billing.
Georgia Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford) introduced two pieces of legislation to address surprise medical bills this year. SR 974 created a senate committee to study surprise billing practices in the state. The second bill, SB 382, was a comprehensive consumer protection act designed to curb surprise billing behaviors. The bill did not come before the committee for a vote.