HB 2719

Abstract

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Provides that a hospital shall screen each uninsured patient for eligibility in State and federal health insurance programs, financial assistance offered by the hospital, and other public programs that may assist with health care costs and provide information about those programs. For an insured patient, requires the hospital to screen the patient for discounted care in specified circumstances. Provides that the screenings and all follow-up assistance must be culturally competent, in the patient's primary language, in plain language, and in an accessible format. Requires a hospital to implement an operational plan and trainings relating to screenings. Prohibits hospitals from pursuing collection actions against uninsured patients if they have not completed the screening requirements. Includes a prohibition on the sale of medical debt, limitations on collection actions, penalties for violating the Act's provisions, and defenses against collection actions pursued in violation of the provisions. Makes other changes. Amends the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act. Provides that a patient declining to apply for a public health insurance program on the basis of concern for immigration-related consequences shall not be grounds for denying financial assistance under a hospital's financial assistance policy. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 210 ILCS 88/17 new 210 ILCS 88/34 new Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 76/22 210 ILCS 88/45 210 ILCS 88/70 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Requires a hospital to screen each uninsured patient, upon the uninsured patient's agreement, at the earliest reasonable moment for potential eligibility for public health insurance programs and financial assistance offered by the hospital. Requires all screening activities, including initial screenings and all follow-up assistance, to be provided in compliance with the Language Assistance Services Act and other applicable federal and State laws and regulations. Requires a hospital to screen an insured patient for hospital financial assistance in specified circumstances. Provides that a hospital may not pursue collection action against an uninsured patient unless the hospital has complied with the screening requirements and applied for and exhausted any discount available to the patient under specified provisions. Provides that a hospital may not refer a bill, or portion thereof, to a collection agency or attorney for collection action against an insured patient without first ensuring compliance with the screening requirements. Provides that the obligations of hospitals under the amendatory Act apply to services provided on or after the first day of the month that begins 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. Amends the Community Benefits Act. Requires a hospital to make available to the public the number of uninsured patients who have declined or failed to respond to the screening for eligibility for public health insurance programs financial assistance offered by the hospital and the 5 most frequent reasons for declining. Amends the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act. Provides that, if a patient declines to apply for a public health insurance program on the basis of concern for immigration-related consequences, the hospital may refer the patient to a free, unbiased resource, such as an Immigrant Family Resource Program, to address the patient's immigration-related concerns and assist in enrolling the patient in a public health insurance program and the hospital may still screen the patient for eligibility under hospital’s financial assistance policy. Requires hospitals to permit an uninsured patient to apply for a discount within 90 days of the completion of the screening under the Fair Patient Billing Act or denial of an application for a public health insurance program. Makes other and conforming changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 In provisions concerning screening patients for health insurance and financial assistance, removes language providing that all screening activities must be provided in compliance with other applicable federal and State laws and regulations. Removes language providing that nothing in the provisions is intended to extend the enforcement authority of the Office of the Attorney General beyond any authority not otherwise granted.