2015 -- S 0325

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LC001171

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

HEALTH AND SAFETY - LICENSING OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

     Introduced By: Senators Miller, Archambault, McCaffrey, and Crowley

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 23-17-60 and 23-17-61 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17

entitled “Licensing of Health Care Facilities” are hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-17-60. Compilation and publication of the charges for common hospital

procedures. -- (a) Each hospital, licensed under this chapter, shall compile a list of its twenty-

five (25) most commonly performed outpatient procedures and the total payroll including fringe

benefits, and any other remuneration of the top five (5) highest compensated employees,

identified by position description and specialty; and shall submit annually to the department of

health a list of the range of average charges for each procedure, and the total payroll of the top

five (5) highest compensated employees, in a uniform reporting form adopted by the department.

     (b) The department shall establish a list of the twenty-five (25) most commonly

performed inpatient procedures in Rhode Island hospitals, as organized by a Medicare diagnostic-

related group. The department of health shall annually develop a list of each hospital's range of

average charges for those procedures. The department shall publish this compiled information on

its website.

     (c) Each hospital shall provide a copy of the lists of procedures described in subsections

(a) and (b) to any person upon request. Each hospital shall additionally post the lists in an area

used by the public, and on its publicly accessible website.

     23-17-61. Written estimates for hospital medical services. -- Upon the request of any

person without health coverage or with an insurance deductible of five thousand dollars ($5,000)

or higher, a hospital shall within two (2) working days, provide that person with a written

estimate based upon the best medical information known at the time, of the amount the hospital

will require the person to pay for the health care services, procedures, and supplies that are

reasonably expected to be provided to the person by the hospital, based upon an average length of

stay and services provided for the person's diagnosis and including the amount for any facility

fees required. The estimate may also indicate that it does not reflect any unanticipated services

that become apparent at the time of treatment. The hospital may provide this estimate during

normal business office hours. In addition to the estimate, the hospital shall provide information

about its financial assistance and charity care policies and contact information for a hospital

employee or office from which the person may obtain further information about these policies. If

requested, the hospital shall also provide the person with an application for financial assistance or

charity care. This section shall not apply to emergency services.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

HEALTH AND SAFETY - LICENSING OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

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     This act would require hospitals to publicize their total payroll, including fringe benefits

in addition to the top five (5) highest paid employees, identified by position description and

specialty. It would also set a two (2) day time limit within which a hospital must provide written

estimates for medical services over five thousand dollars ($5,000) and facility fees.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001171

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