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

This New Jersey bill prevents surprise out-of-network medical bills for emergency care and urgent services. It directly affects consumers who receive emergency treatment at hospitals or providers outside their insurance network, as well as health insurers and healthcare facilities. Key provisions require insurers to pay out-of-network emergency care at the same rate as in-network care (using the highest of three payment options), ban balance billing for emergency services, and create a dispute resolution process for billing disagreements. The law applies specifically to emergency and urgent care services, not routine out-of-network care, and includes protections for self-funded employer health plans. It aims to reduce consumer financial harm while addressing billing disputes between providers and insurers.