Bill > S07479

This bill introduces comprehensive reforms to hospital pricing transparency and medical debt collection in New York State. The legislation prohibits hospitals from seeking, entering, or enforcing money judgments against patients or patient guarantors for facility items and services if the hospital is not in compliance with new price transparency requirements. The bill mandates that hospitals publicly disclose detailed pricing information, including gross charges, negotiated rates with different insurers, discounted cash prices, and minimum and maximum negotiated charges for both their full list of services and at least 300 "shoppable" services. Hospitals must make this information easily accessible online in a machine-readable format, free of charge, and without requiring registration. If a hospital is found to be in material noncompliance with these transparency requirements and attempts to collect a medical debt, patients can challenge the collection action in court. Penalties for non-compliance include potential administrative fines that vary based on the hospital's size, ranging from $300 to $5,000 per day of violation. Additionally, the bill restricts hospitals from enforcing arbitration agreements or mediation clauses in debt collection actions if they are not meeting the transparency standards. The goal is to provide patients with clear, upfront pricing information and protect them from aggressive debt collection practices.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7479