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HR 8419 116th Congress House Health Cardiovascular and respiratory health Emergency medical services and trauma care Employee benefits and pensions Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Health care costs and insurance Health care coverage and access Infectious and parasitic diseases Medical tests and diagnostic methods Medicare

Stop COVID–19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020

Introduced: September 29, 2020 Introduced by: Fletcher, Lizzie Democratic · Texas See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 29, 2020
Introduced in House
Sep 29, 2020
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Stop COVID-19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020

This bill modifies provisions requiring health insurance plans to cover COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) diagnostic testing services at no cost, without prior authorization, and without medical management requirements. The bill specifies that a plan may not make determinations about the circumstances surrounding individuals' tests, such as why they sought testing or whether they showed symptoms of COVID-19. The bill also specifies that plans may encourage individuals to obtain tests from lower priced providers as long as such efforts do not delay, or impede access to, testing.

The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to survey and report on the cash prices of testing services and the compliance of providers with the requirement to publish such prices.

Additionally, HHS, jointly with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Labor, must issue guidance clarifying the process for submitting claims for testing services.

What's happening now September 29, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 4745 Identical bill Stop COVID–19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8419: Stop COVID–19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8419/
MLA
"H.R. 8419: Stop COVID–19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8419/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8419, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8419/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8419: Stop COVID–19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8419/)
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