Connecticut Senate Bill SB00765

Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/17/25

Caption

An Act Prohibiting Health Care Providers From Requiring Patients To Provide An Electronic Payment Method To Be Kept On File With The Provider.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly impact the practices of healthcare providers across the state. Providers would have to adjust their billing systems and procedures to comply with this law and would no longer be able to store patients' electronic payment methods without their explicit consent. This could lead to changes in how patients interact with their providers, especially regarding payment methods and billing processes for services rendered. The bill aims to enhance patient autonomy over their financial information in healthcare settings.

Summary

SB00765 is a proposed bill that aims to amend the general statutes to prevent healthcare providers from requiring patients to supply an electronic payment method to be kept on file with them. The legislation is primarily focused on protecting patients’ rights and financial privacy, ensuring that they are not obligated to leave their payment information on file, which may raise concerns regarding security and unauthorized charges. This bill seeks to address the growing issue of patient consent in the context of electronic financial transactions in healthcare settings.

Contention

While the bill is mostly aimed at protecting patients, it may also generate some contention among healthcare providers and industry stakeholders. Providers may express concerns about cash flow and increased administrative burdens associated with having to obtain payment at the time of service rather than keeping electronic methods on file. Furthermore, there may be discussions around how this legislation could affect patient access to timely care and billing efficiency, particularly in emergency scenarios where quick billing action might be beneficial.