Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF2599

Introduced
3/6/23  

Caption

Requirements for hospitals to screen patients for eligibility for health coverage or assistance established, affidavit of expert review required before debt collection activities, and hospital charges limited for uninsured treatments and services for patients.

Impact

In addition to the patient screening requirement, HF2599 puts strict limitations on hospital charges for uninsured patients. Specifically, hospitals cannot charge uninsured patients earning less than $125,000 annually more than what they would receive from their most favored insurer for the same services. This measure aims to alleviate the financial burden on lower-income patients seeking necessary medical treatments.

Summary

House Bill HF2599 establishes new requirements for hospitals regarding the screening of patients to determine their eligibility for health coverage and assistance. The bill mandates that hospitals screen uninsured patients for eligibility for charity care and for state or federal public health care programs within 30 days of service. Moreover, hospitals are required to assist patients in the application process if they qualify for charity care or other insurance programs.

Contention

A notable aspect of the bill is its emphasis on preventing hospitals from engaging in aggressive collection actions against patients who have applied for charity care. The bill stipulates that hospitals must complete an affidavit of expert review before referring debts to collection agencies, ensuring that they have thoroughly verified eligibility for assistance programs. Critics of this bill may argue about the economic implications for hospitals, particularly those that depend on revenue from patient collections.

Companion Bills

MN SF2673

Similar To Requirements establishment for hospitals to screen patients for eligibility for health coverage or assistance

Previously Filed As

MN SF2673

Requirements establishment for hospitals to screen patients for eligibility for health coverage or assistance

MN S2714

Requires all hospitals to screen uninsured patients for eligibility for public health programs and financial assistance under Medicare and Medicaid.

MN SB201

Hospitals; financial assistance for uninsured patient, payment plans.

MN HB1071

Hospitals; financial assistance for uninsured patient, payment plans.

MN H7702

Requires hospitals to screen uninsured patients for public assistance and creates a pilot program for out of hospital service upon expiration of similar federal program.

MN SB00340

An Act Concerning Collection Efforts By Hospitals And Collection Agents Against Uninsured And Underinsured Patients.

MN HB05300

An Act Concerning Hospital Charges For Uninsured Patients.

MN SF2388

Right of hospitalized patients to receive treatment from their own doctors establishment

MN SB1344

Providing for hospital price transparency and for prohibition on collection action of debt against patients for noncompliant hospitals.

MN HB2339

Providing for hospital price transparency and for prohibition on collection action of debt against patients for noncompliant hospitals.

Similar Bills

TX HB2157

Relating to a requirement that a hospital allow a patient to designate a caregiver to receive aftercare instruction regarding the patient.

NJ S1158

Prohibits certain steering and marketing practices involving dispensing of prescription drugs and drug samples.

NJ A2587

Prohibits certain steering and marketing practices involving dispensing of prescription drugs and drug samples.

NJ A2331

Prohibits certain steering and marketing practices involving dispensing of prescription drugs and drug samples.

NJ S958

Establishes right of hospital patients to be accompanied by patient advocate.

TX SB1417

Relating to a requirement that a hospital allow a patient to designate a caregiver to receive aftercare instruction regarding the patient.

TX HB2425

Relating to a requirement that a hospital allow a patient to designate a caregiver to receive aftercare instruction regarding the patient.

TX HB1901

Relating to the disclosure of certain mental health records of deceased state hospital patients.