An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
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
Bill text
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Sponsors
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2 on record
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Cosponsor
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