The Trump administration is moving to remove arbitrators who resolve billing disputes between doctors and insurers. The two companies handled cases that kept patients out of the middle of payment fights.
One of the companies allowed doctors to win 96 percent of the time. That figure has drawn scrutiny as doctor payouts continue to climb.
The arbitration system was designed to settle medical bill conflicts without involving patients directly. Insurers and providers used it to resolve disagreements over coverage and payments.
Federal officials now want to overhaul the process. The move could reshape how billing disputes are handled across the health care industry.
Supporters say arbitration offers a faster path than courts. Critics argue the system favors doctors and drives up costs.
The companies involved have not publicly commented on the proposed changes. Details of the administration’s plan remain limited.
Any overhaul would affect patients, doctors, and insurers alike. The outcome will shape how medical bills are disputed for years to come.
