Bill
Bill > SB539
OR SB539
Relating to fees charged for services provided in hospital-based facilities.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
05/23/2025
05/23/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Legislative Measures
Bill Summary
The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards. Digest: Makes a hospital or health system report to the OHA on facility fees that are charged or billed for certain patient visits. Requires that patients be given a notice on facility fees that may be charged or billed. (Flesch Readability Score: 62.8). Requires a hospital or the hospital’s health system to report annually to the Oregon Health Authority certain information regarding facility fees that are charged or billed for patient visits at the hospital’s or health system’s hospital-based facilities. Requires a hospital or the hospital’s health system that charges a facility fee for a patient visit to provide a person notice of the facility fee. Requires a billing statement that includes a facility fee to include certain information. Permits a hospital or the hospital’s health system to charge, bill or collect a facility fee only for services provided on campus or at a facility that includes an emergency department. Prohibits a hospital or the hospital’s health system from charging, billing or collecting a facility fee for certain services. Punishes an action to collect or an attempt to collect a facility fee that is not permitted under the Act as an unlawful collection practice. Permits the Oregon Health Authority to impose a civil penalty for certain violations of the Act.
AI Summary
This bill addresses facility fees charged by hospitals and health systems in Oregon, introducing several key provisions to increase transparency and limit charging practices. The bill requires hospitals to annually report to the Oregon Health Authority detailed information about facility fees, including the number of patient visits, total fee amounts, and revenue generated from these fees. Hospitals must provide clear, written notice to patients about facility fees at the time of scheduling and arrival, explaining the additional fee, potential financial liability, and the patient's right to request a fee reduction. The bill restricts facility fees to services provided only on a hospital's campus or at facilities with emergency departments, and prohibits facility fees for certain evaluation and management services. Hospitals must itemize facility fees separately on billing statements, and any attempt to collect an unauthorized facility fee is considered an unlawful collection practice. The Oregon Health Authority is empowered to impose civil penalties for violations, with the goal of increasing transparency and protecting patients from unexpected medical charges. The bill aims to help patients understand potential additional costs and limit hospitals' ability to charge facility fees in certain circumstances.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (7)
Ben Bowman (D)*,
James Manning (D)*,
Kevin Mannix (R)*,
Deb Patterson (D)*,
Chris Gorsek (D),
Nathan Sosa (D),
Jules Walters (D),
Last Action
Motion to refer to Committee on Rules carried by voice vote. (on 05/29/2025)
Official Document
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