American Arbitration Association Updates Payer-Provider Mediation Rules: 5 Things to Know

The American Arbitration Association, the largest provider of arbitration and mediation services, has updated its rules for mediating payer-provider disputes, the association said Oct.18. 

“There have been fast-moving changes in different areas of the healthcare industry, and we have adapted our arbitration rules and procedures to address these trends and concerns for the parties involved in alternative dispute resolution,” Michelle Skipper, vice president of the American Arbitration Association’s commercial division, said in a news release. 

Here are five rule updates to know: 

1. The new rules include provisions to consolidate multiple arbitrations or add additional parties to existing arbitrations. 
   
2. The rules add updated commitments to confidentiality in arbitration proceedings. 
   
3. There are updated provisions for expected civility and professionalism of all parties involved in a dispute. 
   
4. The rules give arbitrators the ability to interpret awards. 
   
5. The new rules recommend parties discuss cybersecurity and data protection before arbitration proceedings begin.