Bill > HB4701

This bill, titled the Limitations on Facility Fees Act, aims to restrict when healthcare providers can charge "facility fees," which are extra charges for operational expenses separate from the professional fee for services. Generally, providers will be prohibited from charging these fees for outpatient services, except for those provided on a hospital's campus, at a facility with a licensed hospital emergency department, or for emergency services at a freestanding emergency center (a standalone emergency room, not an urgent care clinic). The Department of Public Health will annually identify specific outpatient, diagnostic, or imaging services that can be safely provided outside of hospitals and will therefore also be exempt from facility fees. The bill also mandates annual reporting by hospitals, health systems, and freestanding emergency centers on facility fees collected, with this information to be made public. Violations of this Act will be considered unlawful practices under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and providers may face administrative penalties. The bill also makes conforming changes to the Fair Patient Billing Act regarding facility fee disclosures.

Health and Social Services

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4701&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104