Connecticut House Bill HB05337

Connecticut 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/25/14
• Refer: 2/25/14
• Report Pass: 3/13/14
• Refer: 3/27/14
• Report Pass: 4/2/14
• Refer: 4/8/14
• Report Pass: 4/14/14
• Engrossed: 4/23/14
• Report Pass: 4/25/14
• Chaptered: 5/20/14
• Enrolled: 5/21/14
• Passed: 6/6/14

Caption

An Act Concerning Fees Charged For Services Provided At Hospital-based Facilities.

Impact

If enacted, HB 05337 would amend state regulations to ensure that all hospital-based facilities comply with the new notice requirements. This change is expected to have significant implications for how patients are informed about potential financial liabilities, thereby improving patient understanding of their healthcare costs. Facilities are required to disclose detailed information about facility fees, ensuring patients are not caught off guard by unexpected charges. Particularly, patients will need to be made aware of the financial distinctions between facility fees and professional fees, which might impact their decisions regarding treatment options.

Summary

House Bill 05337, known as the Act Concerning Fees Charged For Services Provided At Hospital-based Facilities, aims to enhance transparency regarding the fees charged by hospital-based facilities in Connecticut. The main provisions of the bill require hospitals and health systems to provide clear written notice to patients regarding any facility fees associated with services rendered. This includes explaining the facility's association with the hospital or health system and how the charges may differ from professional fees charged by healthcare providers. The bill establishes criteria for when and how this information should be communicated to patients, both for emergency and nonemergency situations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 05337 appears to be largely positive, emphasizing a push for greater transparency in healthcare costs. Proponents of the bill argue that it will empower patients by making healthcare pricing more understandable and accessible. They believe that informed patients will make better decisions in their healthcare journeys. However, there are concerns among some stakeholders regarding the potential administrative burden placed on hospitals and healthcare systems to comply with these notification requirements. Overall, the dialogue reflects a growing recognition of the need for transparency in medical billing.

Contention

Notable points of contention during discussions of the bill include fears from healthcare providers regarding the feasibility of implementing the new notification processes and concerns that such requirements might lead to lower patient satisfaction if notifications are perceived as cumbersome. Critics posit that while the intent of the bill is noble in wanting to protect consumers, the implementation may pose challenges that could negatively impact healthcare delivery. The discussions also highlighted the balance between increasing patient awareness and maintaining streamlined operations within healthcare facilities.