H 4619
An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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Bill overview
This bill, titled ‘An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing,’ aims to prevent patients from receiving unexpected, high bills for medical services, particularly in emergency situations or at hospitals. It restricts health care providers from charging facility fees – fees separate from professional charges – unless the services are provided on a hospital campus, at an emergency department, or for emergency services. The bill also requires providers to notify patients in writing about potential facility fees and mandates clear signage at facilities indicating the potential for higher costs.
Key provisions
- Restricts facility fees to services provided on a hospital campus, at an emergency department, or for emergency services.
- Requires health care providers to provide written notice to patients about potential facility fees.
- Mandates clear signage at facilities informing patients about potential higher financial liability.
- Establishes a definition for ‘unforeseen out-of-network service’ to determine when surprise billing protections apply.
- Requires carriers to reimburse out-of-network providers for unforeseen out-of-network services at the median contracted rate.
- Addresses reimbursement for ambulance services.
- Defines ‘impermissible facility fee’ and ‘surprise bill’ for clarity.
- Establishes a process for the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute violations of the bill.
Who is affected
- Patients receiving healthcare services
- Health care providers (hospitals, clinics, emergency departments)
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Cosponsor
Paul J. Donato
Arguments in favor
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Bill H.4619 194th (Current)
An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Financial Services Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Tabs
Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 5 actions for Bill H.4619
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 10/20/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Financial Services |
| 10/20/2025 | House | New draft of H1144 |
| 10/20/2025 | House | Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing |
| 12/8/2025 | House | Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| 3/19/2026 | House | Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026 |
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