Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF1077

Introduced
2/17/25  

Caption

Requirements for making current standard charges available to the public modified, collection actions prohibited in certain circumstances, and actions by patients and guarantors authorized.

Impact

The bill would directly impact state laws governing healthcare practices by amending existing statutes and instituting stronger compliance measures. Hospitals and outpatient surgical centers, as well as higher-earning medical and dental practices, would be required to publicly list their standard charges, enhancing patient awareness and promoting competition within the healthcare sector. By preventing collection actions during non-compliance, the bill also acknowledges the financial hardships many patients face and supports equitable access to medical care.

Summary

HF1077 proposes modifications to the requirements for making current standard charges available to the public by medical and dental practices in Minnesota. Specifically, the bill seeks to prohibit collection actions in certain circumstances when a medical or dental practice is not in material compliance with specified requirements. This legislation aims to enhance transparency in healthcare pricing and provide protections for patients facing medical debt, ensuring that they are informed about charges before collection actions are initiated against them.

Conclusion

Overall, HF1077 represents an important legislative effort to improve patient rights and transparency in healthcare billing. With its focus on protecting patients from aggressive collection practices, the bill aims to foster a more equitable healthcare system while also encouraging informed decision-making by patients regarding their healthcare expenses.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HF1077 include debates about the implications for medical practices and concerns regarding the administrative burden this legislation may impose. Supporters argue that the bill will empower patients by providing clear, upfront medical pricing, while opponents highlight the potential strain on facilities, suggesting that it may inadvertently lead to increased costs for services as practices adjust to the requirements. Some stakeholders fear that this legislation could deter healthcare providers from offering certain services or lead to reduced access for patients if practices become financially constrained.

Companion Bills

MN SF1589

Similar To Requirements modification for making current standard charges available to the public

Previously Filed As

MN SF1675

Medical and dental practices requirement to make available to the public their current standard charges

MN HF293

Medical and dental practices required to make available to the public their current standard charges, and commissioner of health authorized to establish a price comparison tool for items and services offered by medical and dental practices.

MN SF2285

Health care providers permission to establish and make available to the public retail price for bundles of elective medical services

MN HF1700

Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act of 2023; hospital nurse staffing and nurse workload committees requirements established, core staffing plan requirements modified, commissioner required to grade and publicly disclose hospital compliance, hospital preparedness and incident response action plan requirements modified, nursing facility employee scholarship eligibility modified, hospital nursing and health professional education loan forgiveness programs established/modified, and money appropriated.

MN HF1814

Medical debt governing provisions modified, billing and payment established for miscoded health treatments and services, medical debt collecting practices prohibited, and enforcement provided.

MN HF2712

Procedure for sanctions modified, Department of Human Services background studies modified, applications and application process modified, license fees modified, commissioner access to recipient medical records modified, notice requirements for monetary recovery and sanctions modified, administrative reconsideration process modified, licensing data modified, email address privacy modified, and prone restraints in licensed or certified facilities prohibited.

MN HF4100

Debt collection, garnishment, medical debt, and consumer finance various governing provisions modified; debtor protections provided; statutory forms modified; and statutory form review required.

MN SF4065

Various provisions modification governing debt collection, garnishment, and consumer finance

MN SF4444

Annual adverse health event report publication continuation requirement provision, retaliation against patient care staff prohibition, compliancy orders authorization and enforcement provisions

MN HF3578

Health care service prior authorization and coverage requirements modified, ground for disciplinary action against physicians modified, reports to the commissioner of commerce and the legislature required, data classified, and rulemaking authorized.

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