Bill > SB626

This bill, known as the "Georgia Medical Debt Fairness Act," aims to provide consumers with financial assistance and protections regarding medical debt incurred at hospitals. It mandates that by January 1, 2027, the Department of Community Health will publish a standardized financial assistance policy, screening tool, and application form on its website for hospitals to adopt. Hospitals must screen patients for financial assistance eligibility before billing them, automatically enroll eligible patients, and apply available discounts. Bills must include information about financial assistance availability and how to obtain it. If a hospital incorrectly determines a patient's eligibility for financial assistance, it must credit the patient's account and reimburse any associated costs, and if the debt was sent to a debt collector, the hospital must notify them that the debt is no longer valid. The bill also prohibits hospitals from offering financing products for medical debt with an interest rate above 1% and restricts payment plans to a maximum 1% interest rate without additional fees. Furthermore, hospitals cannot pursue collections for medical debt until they have complied with all screening and assistance provisions, exhausted other payment options, or while a patient is appealing coverage, applying for assistance, or participating in a payment plan. The Department of Community Health will be responsible for enforcing these provisions.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74208