NEW YORK - In response to complaints from consumers who did everything they could to use in-network doctors, but nonetheless received surprise bills from specialists whom the consumers did not know were out-of-network, the Insurance Department will hold a public hearing with the Department of Health, Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo announced..

The hearing - scheduled for October 7 in Albany - is designed to get the views of all interested parties on multiple issues surrounding this problem, including disclosure, referrals and emergency services.

The Insurance Department has received numerous complaints from consumers who received care from a participating doctor or hospital, yet related specialty services were either denied or covered as out-of-network. Often, the consumer had no choice in selecting the specialist or may not have been told the specialist was non-participating services for which their health plan will only pay a portion.

The Insurance Department and Department of Health are considering statutory and regulatory changes to address these issues and would like to receive input from consumers, health plans, providers and other interested parties.

Date: Tuesday, October 7, 10 a.m.
Location: Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 1, Albany, New York

The hearing is open to the public. Interested parties may testify at the hearing, or submit written comments to be included in the hearing record. Any person wishing to testify should contact the Insurance Department's Public Affairs Bureau at (212) 480-5262. Oral testimony will be allowed for up to 10 minutes per person.

Written comments for the hearing record may be submitted to Coverage of Health Care Services Hearings, Public Affairs Bureau, New York State Insurance Department, 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004, or e-mailed to PublicHearingsComments@ins.state.ny.us with the subject line "COVERAGE OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES." Comments will be accepted by the Department for up to 15 business days after the public hearing.