"Health Care Consumer's Out-of-Network Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act."

This bill, the "Health Care Consumer’s Out-of-Network Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act," aims to protect New Jersey residents from surprise medical bills and rising healthcare costs. It requires healthcare facilities and physicians to disclose whether they are in-network, mandates transparency in billing practices, and establishes a dispute resolution process for billing disagreements. The act also seeks to improve coordination between employers, third-party administrators, and healthcare providers to ensure patients receive accurate cost estimates and avoid unexpected charges.