in-network hospital, in-network surgeon, but the anesthesiologist billed me $9,400 as out-of-network. NSA dispute or just pay it?

trying to figure out if i have a case under the No Surprises Act or if i just need to swallow this and pay. context: had an emergency appendectomy on may 8, 2026. went to the ER at my in-network hospital (Methodist in indianapolis), surgeon was in-network, hospital was in-network, my Anthem BCBS plan covered everything as expected. then yesterday i got the EOB for the anesthesia and almost fell out of my chair.

the anesthesia group is a separate corporate entity called "Premier Anesthesia Partners" and they bill independently. they were out of network with Anthem. billed charges $11,800. Anthem allowed amount $2,400 (paid at out-of-network rate to my deductible). balance billed to me: $9,400. i did not pick this anesthesiologist. i was on a gurney with a ruptured appendix at 2am.

everything i have read about the No Surprises Act (effective january 2022) says this is exactly the scenario it was supposed to fix. emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities are supposed to be billed at in-network cost-sharing only, with the dispute handled between the provider and the insurer through the IDR process. patient is supposed to be held harmless beyond their normal in-network copay.

but the bill from Premier Anesthesia says nothing about the NSA. it just says "amount due $9,400, pay within 30 days or sent to collections." Anthem says "the provider is out of network, we paid what the plan allows." nobody is referencing the NSA at all. is this a case where i need to formally invoke the NSA in writing to both parties? does the patient even file an IDR, or is that just for the carriers? has anyone successfully gotten one of these knocked down to the in-network amount? and most importantly, does it ever hit my credit if i just refuse to pay while we sort it out? thanks for any guidance, this is my first time dealing with anything like this and the bill is more than my monthly take-home.