Bill > H0515

This bill adds a new chapter to existing law in Idaho to establish the Idaho Patient Act, which provides requirements for certain medical debt collections. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring health care providers to submit charges to the patient's insurance within 45 days and provide the patient with a consolidated summary of services and a final statement within 60 and 90 days, respectively, before engaging in "extraordinary collection actions" like reporting to credit agencies or garnishing wages. 2. Limiting the fees and costs that can be charged to patients in the event of an uncontested or contested judgment, and allowing the court to award additional costs and fees in contested cases only if the incurred costs were grossly disproportionate. 3. Providing that if the health care provider or facility fails to meet the timing requirements, the patient has no liability for any collection costs, expenses, or fees. 4. Establishing a rebuttable presumption that the patient received the consolidated summary or final statement 3 days after being sent by mail, and allowing health care facilities to be exempt from providing the consolidated summary if certain conditions are met. 5. Allowing health care facilities to authorize health care providers by contract to provide the consolidated summary on their behalf. 6. Providing civil penalties if extraordinary collection actions are taken without complying with the Act's requirements.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs, Justice

Ways and Means Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2020/legislation/H0515/