SB2442eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2442 Engrossed LRB103 29154 CPF 55540 b

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Fair Patient Billing Act is amended by changing Section 35 as follows:

(210 ILCS 88/35)

Sec. 35. Collection limitations.

(a) The hospital shall not pursue legal action for non-payment of a hospital bill against uninsured patients who have clearly demonstrated that they have neither sufficient income nor assets to meet their financial obligations provided the patient has complied with Section 45 of this Act.

(b) A hospital may not bill an uninsured patient that requires health care services, as defined in Section 5 of the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, if it determines, through its financial assistance screening process, that the patient has a household income that qualifies the person for free care under the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act. If the patient is deemed eligible for public health insurance or any other insurance product certified by the Department of Insurance, the hospital shall provide information to the patient about how the patient can apply for the insurance program under subsection (f) of Section 16.

(Source: P.A. 94-885, eff. 1-1-07.)