Bill > HB3593

This bill amends the Fair Patient Billing Act and the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act to address the growing trend of hospitals outsourcing on-site healthcare services. The bill establishes that when a hospital outsources healthcare services to a third-party individual or entity within its facility, the hospital remains fully responsible for ensuring that these services comply with existing patient billing protections. Specifically, the hospital must require any contracted service provider to agree in writing to follow the hospital's financial assistance policy, screening obligations, and collection provisions. The bill defines "outsourcing" as a business arrangement where services are contracted to an external individual or entity, even if performed on the hospital site. Key provisions include requiring hospitals to extend the same patient billing protections to all healthcare services, regardless of whether they are directly provided by the hospital or outsourced, and ensuring that patients receive consistent financial screening, assistance, and billing practices. The bill aims to prevent patients from experiencing unfair billing practices or reduced protections when hospitals use third-party service providers, ultimately protecting patients from potential financial hardship related to medical debt.

Health and Social Services

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3593&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104