Bill > AB1312

This bill adds a new section to California's Health and Safety Code that establishes comprehensive requirements for hospitals to screen patients for charity care and discounted payment eligibility, starting July 1, 2027. The bill mandates that hospitals automatically screen patients who are enrolled in specific public assistance programs like CalFresh, CalWORKs, or WIC, and presumptively determine their eligibility for charity care without requiring a full application. Hospitals must also screen uninsured patients, those with Medi-Cal cost-sharing, and patients enrolled in Covered California plans. Patients have the right to opt out of screening through a specific form, and hospitals cannot require patients to apply for Medicare or Medi-Cal before screening. The bill allows hospitals to use various methods for screening, including third-party software tools, but prohibits using tools that might negatively impact a patient's credit score. Hospitals must provide written notices to eligible patients in their preferred language, and billing statements must reflect any charity care or discount adjustments. The goal is to make financial assistance more accessible by simplifying the eligibility determination process and reducing administrative barriers for patients experiencing financial hardship.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1312