Balance billing prohibited

Legislation defines, clarifies balance billing      

The Idaho Legislature passed a bill during the 2006 session intended to define balance billing under the workers compensation statute and to clarify that balance billing is not permitted.

The legislation, which amended Title 72-102, states that "balance billing" means charging, billing, or otherwise attempting to collect directly from an injured employee payment for medical services in excess of amounts allowable in compensable claims as provided by rules promulgated by the Industrial Commission.

Injured employees are responsible, however, for charges unrelated to their injury or non-covered expenses incurred.