2014 -- S 2222 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/02/14
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HOSPITAL CHARGES
Introduced By: Senators Miller, Ruggerio, Sosnowski, DaPonte, and Picard
Date Introduced: January 30, 2014
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 23-17 of the General Laws entitled "Licensing of Health Care Facilities" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:
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 shall submit annually to the department of health a list of the range of average charges for each procedure, 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 described in subsections (a) and (b) to any person upon request.
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 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. 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. Section 23-17-36 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17 entitled "Licensing of Health Care Facilities" is hereby amended to read as follows:
23-17-36. Rules and regulations. -- The director of the department of health is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the intent of this chapter as well as establishing administrative penalties for violations of the provisions of §§ 23-17-60 and 23-17-61.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC003156/SUB A
========