Bill > SB1212

This bill modifies provisions relating to hospital price transparency laws. It prohibits hospitals that are not in material compliance with federal hospital price transparency laws from initiating or pursuing collection actions against patients or their guarantors for debts owed for items or services provided during the period of noncompliance. If a patient believes a hospital was not in material compliance at the time of service, the patient can file a lawsuit to determine if the hospital was noncompliant, and the hospital cannot take collection action while the lawsuit is pending. If the hospital is found to be materially noncompliant, it must refund any payments made by the payer, pay a penalty to the patient or guarantor, dismiss any court actions, and remove any related credit report items. The bill does not prohibit a hospital from billing for services or require refunds for payments made during compliant periods.