Congressman Bean Hosts Health Summit on Care Delays, Billing Confusion

WASHINGTON-On Friday, May 15th, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) hosted the third installment of his Path to Consensus Series, this time focusing on two pressure points that continue to frustrate patients and providers-healthcare billing and prior authorization delays. The event featured two expert panels exploring how greater transparency, faster approvals, and patient-centered reforms can improve care while lowering costs.

About the event, Congressman Bean said: "Surprise healthcare billing and prior authorization delays are major issues in healthcare-this is where the system breaks down for too many families. If we're serious about transforming America's healthcare system, we must have honest conversations about what is and isn't working. That starts with tackling the payment disputes that stall treatment and ensuring that patients, not bureaucracy, come first."

BACKGROUND

The panels examined some of the most persistent challenges driving frustration and rising costs across the healthcare system, including confusing billing practices, administrative burdens, and delays caused by prior authorization requirements.

What sets these Path to Consensus conversations apart is who's in the room: healthcare companies, industry representatives, provider voices, and policy reformers-all with different perspectives-coming together to find common ground on the structural issues that drive up healthcare costs.

Panel: Arbitration, Adequacy, and Access: Stakeholder Perspectives on the 'No Surprises Act'

• Shayne Woods, Vice President Alpine Group (Moderator)
• Ariel Bayewitz, Vice President of Health Economics, Elevance Health
• Garrett Hohimer, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy Business Group on Health
• Patrick Velliky, Chief External Affairs Officer HaloMD
• Dr. Adam Bruggeman, Chairman, IndeMed

Panel: Balancing Clinical Judgment and Cost Controls: Hospital and Insurer Perspectives on Prior Authorization

• Paul Hartman, Federal Government Affairs Director, bioMérieux (Moderator)
• Jeanette Thornton, Executive Vice President of Policy & Strategy, America's Health Insurance Plans
• Mary Mayhew, President and CEO, Florida Hospital Association

To watch the livestream, click HERE.

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