Are You Leaving Money on the Table? New Report Reveals Average Revenue Recovery per Specialty Under the No Surprises Act

Healthcare providers across the country are waking up to a game-changing opportunity: recovering significant revenue from emergency out-of-network call work through the No Surprises Act (NSA). Yet many surgeons and specialists are still unaware that the procedures they already perform could be worth far more—if they’re handled correctly through the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process.

At Ardú Medical Partners, we’ve published a new one-pager detailing the average recovery per file by specialty. Based on real arbitration outcomes and powered by our partnership with Callagy Recovery, this data represents the actual amounts recovered by practices just like yours.

Below, we break down the average recovery amounts and highlight the kinds of procedures that could qualify for arbitration under the NSA. If your practice handles emergency cases and you’re out-of-network—at least part of the time—this information could be worth hundreds of thousands.

Can Neurosurgeons Use the No Surprises Act to Recover Revenue?

Average Recovery per File: $83,120
Neurosurgeons top the chart. Emergency procedures such as traumatic brain injury interventions, spinal decompressions, or emergency laminectomies often qualify. These high-acuity cases generate large bills, and when insurers underpay, arbitration via the NSA often results in six-figure awards. We’ve seen individual neurosurgical claims recover $330,800, $274,400, and $260,000 respectively.

Is Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Covered Under the No Surprises Act?

Average Recovery per File: $41,580
Orthopedic surgeons who take emergency call are sitting on significant value. Tibial and fibular fracture repairs, hip and femur trauma surgeries, or emergent joint reconstructions often fall under NSA protection. One recent arbitration took a $0 initial offer and turned it into a $37,600 award for a lower-leg trauma repair. Another orthopedic claim reached $311,500 in recovered revenue.

Can Neurologists Benefit from the No Surprises Act Arbitration Process?

Average Recovery per File: $36,298
Neurologists responding to ER consultations for strokes, seizures, or emergent diagnostic procedures frequently operate out-of-network. These cases may qualify under NSA when care is delivered without prior patient choice in emergency settings. With average arbitration wins exceeding $36K per file, the opportunity is real.

Are Plastic Surgeons Eligible for Surprise Bill Revenue Recovery?

Average Recovery per File: $31,829
Emergency facial trauma reconstruction, complex wound closures, and urgent burn debridement cases are all examples of NSA-eligible procedures. In one case, a claim originally offered $2,800 was ultimately awarded $40,000 in arbitration. We've also documented plastic surgery claims with awards of $194,400, $124,800, and $102,355.

Can Pain Management Specialists Use the No Surprises Act to Get Paid More?

Average Recovery per File: $25,569
Pain specialists who perform emergency epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, or spinal cord stimulator procedures often do so in hospital settings where they are out-of-network. Arbitration allows for recovery when insurers under-reimburse these urgent interventions.

Do ‘Other’ Specialties Qualify Under the No Surprises Act?

Average Recovery per File: $23,828
From ENT surgeons handling facial fractures to oral surgeons addressing jaw trauma in ER settings, “other” specialties vary—but still qualify when the care is emergency-based and out-of-network. The key is proper case identification and timeline compliance.

Can Intraoperative Monitoring Claims Be Recovered Through Arbitration?

Average Recovery per File: $17,548
Neurophysiologists providing intraoperative neuromonitoring during emergent spine or brain surgeries often operate independently of the primary surgical team and are out-of-network. Claims of $93,000 and $90,000 have been recovered for these professionals.

Do Hand Surgeons Qualify for NSA Revenue Recovery?

Average Recovery per File: $13,122
Emergent repairs of metacarpal fractures, tendon lacerations, or crush injuries frequently trigger NSA applicability. A hand surgery claim that initially received a low offer of $21,200 ended with a favorable arbitration award of $28,350.

What About Emergency Room Physicians and NSA Claims?

Average Recovery per File: $10,100
ER physicians are directly impacted by NSA, given the law’s focus on emergency care. Though many are salaried or in contracted groups, independent providers or consultants delivering out-of-network ER services may be eligible for arbitration—especially when insurers undercut reimbursement rates.

Can General Surgeons Recover More from Emergency Out-of-Network Procedures?

Average Recovery per File: $8,278
Appendectomies, emergency bowel resections, and trauma-related abdominal surgeries often meet the emergency criteria. With awards reaching $53,500, general surgeons frequently see meaningful arbitration outcomes.

Do Anesthesiologists Qualify for Surprise Bill Arbitration?

Average Recovery per File: $6,411
Anesthesiologists are among the most commonly affected by surprise billing scenarios. Emergency intubations, trauma support, and intraoperative anesthesia services—often provided without patient selection—can all qualify. We've seen anesthesia claims recover $29,600, $21,000, and $17,400 through arbitration.