Zelis Unveils AI-Native Solution to Tackle Rising No Surprises Act Dispute Challenges
By Ali Paterson · 26 June 2026
In brief: Zelis has launched NSA Claim Advantage, an AI-native platform designed to automate No Surprises Act (NSA) workflows and reduce Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) escalations for healthcare payers.
| NSA Claim Savings | $2.39 billion in 2025 |
|---|---|
| IDR Escalation Rate | Approximately 8% |
| Compliance Target | June 2026 Federal IDR final rule |

Quick Summary
Zelis NSA Claim Advantage is an AI-native solution designed to help healthcare payers navigate the No Surprises Act (NSA) and Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process. By automating workflows and using predictive intelligence, it reduces avoidable dispute escalations and ensures compliance with the June 2026 Federal IDR final rule.
How Does Zelis NSA Claim Advantage Solve IDR Complexity?
Zelis NSA Claim Advantage addresses the administrative burden of the No Surprises Act by unifying fragmented workflows into a single, automated platform. The system utilizes predictive intelligence to identify potential risks early in the claim lifecycle, allowing payers to prevent avoidable disputes before they reach the costly federal arbitration stage. By integrating AI-native automation with human expert review, the solution ensures that every out-of-network claim is handled with precision and speed.
- Automated intake and documentation to ensure cases progress without manual intervention.
- Predictive analytics that surface Independent Dispute Resolution Entity (IDRE) behavior patterns.
- Real-time dashboards providing Qualified Payment Amount (QPA) comparison analytics.
What Results Has Zelis Delivered for Healthcare Payers?
The Zelis NSA Claim Advantage platform is built on a foundation of proven performance in the healthcare financial sector. In 2025, Zelis successfully processed $2.39 billion in NSA claim savings, demonstrating the massive scale at which their technology operates. Most importantly, only 8% of claims handled by Zelis were escalated to the IDR stage, significantly lower than industry averages. This high-efficiency workflow allows payers to maintain predictable financial outcomes while meeting strict federal reporting obligations.
- $2.39 billion in total NSA claim savings processed in 2025.
- 8% escalation rate to IDR, minimizing expensive arbitration fees.
- 100% audit trails for all communications to support data-driven decision-making.
How Does the AI-Native Solution Ensure Regulatory Compliance?
With the June 2026 Federal IDR final rule approaching, payers must adapt to new batching and eligibility requirements. Zelis NSA Claim Advantage is specifically designed to be highly configurable, allowing it to rapidly adapt to changing policy developments from CMS and HHS. By automating deadline-driven alerts and escalation workflows, the platform eliminates the risk of financial leakage caused by missed filing windows or administrative errors. This proactive approach ensures that Zelis NSA Claim Advantage keeps payers ahead of the regulatory curve.
FF NEWS TAKE:
The No Surprises Act has been a regulatory minefield for payers, with dispute volumes far exceeding federal forecasts. Zelis is moving the needle by shifting the focus from reactive dispute management to predictive dispute prevention. By leveraging Zelis NSA Claim Advantage, payers can finally move away from manual spreadsheets and toward a data-driven operating model. This isn't just a tool; it's a necessary evolution for healthcare payment integrity in a high-stakes regulatory environment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zelis NSA Claim Advantage?
Zelis NSA Claim Advantage is an AI-native solution that automates the end-to-end Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) lifecycle. It helps healthcare payers manage out-of-network claims, repricing, and negotiations while ensuring compliance with the No Surprises Act (NSA).
How does the solution reduce IDR dispute volume?
The platform uses predictive intelligence to identify risks early and optimize settlement strategies. By automating workflows and providing evidence-based pricing, Zelis helped clients limit IDR escalations to just 8% of claims in 2025.
When does the new Federal IDR final rule take effect?
The Federal IDR final rule introduces new requirements for communication, eligibility, and batching starting in June 2026. Zelis NSA Claim Advantage is built to help payers adapt to these specific regulatory changes.
About the companies
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
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HHS
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Companies in this story: HHS, Zelis, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
People in this story: Jim Bridges