Today's Law As Amended


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AB-1045 Payers’ Bill of Rights: procedure charges.(2005-2006)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.

 Section 1339.56 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

1339.56.
 (a) Each hospital shall compile a list of 25 common outpatient procedures and shall submit annually to the office a list of its average charges for those procedures, in a method determined by the office. The office may develop a uniform reporting form for the purposes of this subdivision and may require hospitals to file this completed form with the office. The office shall publish this information on its Internet Web site.
(b) The office shall establish a list of the 25 most commonly performed inpatient procedures in California hospitals, as grouped by Medicare diagnostic-related diagnostic‑related  group. The office shall develop a list of each hospital’s average charges for those procedures, if applicable, and shall update the list at least annually. The office shall publish this information on its Internet Web site.
(c) Each hospital shall provide a copy of the lists described in subdivisions (a) and (b) to any person upon request.

SEC. 2.

 Section 1339.57 of the Health and Safety Code is repealed.

SEC. 3.

 Section 1339.585 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

1339.585.
 Upon the request of a person without health coverage, a hospital shall provide the person with a written estimate 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 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 form for financial assistance or charity care. This section shall not apply to emergency services provided to a person pursuant to Section 1317.

SEC. 4.

 Section 1339.59 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

1339.59.
 (a) A hospital shall be in violation of this article if it knowingly or negligently fails to comply with the requirements of this article.
(b) A hospital that does not file with the office the information required by this article may be liable for civil penalties as specified in Section 128770.
SEC. 5.
 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.