No Surprises Act and TeamHealth

Protecting Patients.

Supporting Clinicians.

Partnering with Hospitals.

TeamHealth supports the No Surprises Act and its protections for patients. We also support an independent process for resolving payment disputes between insurers and clinicians.


As a physician-led company caring for communities across the country, we advocate for patient-centric policies that protect patients, support clinicians, and help hospitals provide access to exceptional care.

TeamHealth has long maintained a policy against balance billing patients for out-of-network care and supports the patient protections in the No Surprises Act (NSA).

When a payment dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, TeamHealth uses the No Surprises Act’s independent dispute resolution (IDR) process to seek appropriate reimbursement from insurers.

We Support the NSA and IDR

What We Believe

Patients should never be caught in the middle.

Clinicians should be fairly compensated for the care we provide.

The IDR process should remain fair and independent.

Both sides should participate meaningfully.

The process should be transparent and efficient.

TeamHealth's Approach to IDR

IDR is not the starting point. TeamHealth seeks to resolve payment differences with health plans through negotiation. When an agreement cannot be reached, IDR provides an independent mechanism for resolving the dispute.

TeamHealth’s average IDR request is approximately $350 for additional reimbursement. With an IDR win-rate above 90%, the disputes we bring forward involve meaningful differences between the payment offered by an insurer and the reimbursement determined through the IDR process. 

Myth vs. Fact

Debunking Myths About

TeamHealth’s Approach to IDR

Myth: NSA is driving up health care costs.

Truth: The data show savings. Out-of-network emergency medical spending has declined between 13% to 52% and the IDR process results in annual savings of about $978 million to $3.95 billion compared to pre-NSA.

Myth: Clinicians use IDR to demand excessive payments.

Truth: ​TeamHealth clinicians seek fair payment. In more than 20,000 disputes, insurers tried to pay nothing for covered care. TeamHealth seeks about $350 more, on average, through IDR. In 2025, 3 in 4 IDR awards were below $1,400.

Myth: A small number of clinician groups are flooding IDR with questionable claims.

Truth: ​High IDR volume reflects the ability to challenge underpayment and non-payment – not questionable claims. Only 3% of TeamHealth’s out-of-network emergency department claims enter IDR. TeamHealth wins more than 90% of the disputes because we submit valid, appropriate claims.

Myth: IDR is more profitable than negotiating to return in network with insurers.

Truth: ​Insurer underpayment – not a preference for arbitration – drives IDR use. IDR is costly, time-consuming, and unpredictable. TeamHealth wants to be in-network with insurers at fair, sustainable reimbursement rates.

Myth: Clinicians win because IDR favors them.

Truth: Neutral, independent arbiters – not clinicians – decide IDR outcomes. In 2025, more than 20% of awards were default judgments because insurers failed to submit an offer, leaving the arbiter no choice but to decide in favor of the provider.

Myth: The No Surprises Act is broken and should be thrown out

Truth: ​The law works. Patients are protected from surprise bills, and most claims never enter IDR. Congress can strengthen the NSA by enforcing payment of IDR awards, ensuring participation by insurers in the process and sustaining patient protections. 

What this Means for Our Partners

TeamHealth is a partner committed to patients and clinicians.


Our focus is providing exceptional care, recruiting and retaining qualified clinicians, and partnering with hospitals to meet the needs of our patients and communities.

TeamHealth manages its NSA and IDR participation as part of its broader operations. Our hospital partners are not responsible for negotiating TeamHealth’s professional payment disputes with health plans.

Advocating for Our Partners

Advocating for Our Clinicians

What this Means for Our Clinicians

TeamHealth clinicians care for patients when they need it most regardless of a patient’s insurance coverage.


TeamHealth’s leaders share their firsthand experience to help inform policies that affect clinicians and the patients we serve.

TeamHealth in the Conversation

Our leaders regularly speak to what we see in emergency departments, hospitals, and post-acute care facilities across the country.

Industry Titans' Warning to Congress

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IDR is the Exception, not the Rule

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This act is supposed to protect patients. Here’s how to make sure it does.

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Advocating for You