HB3268 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 15961 CPF 21331 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB3268

Introduced 2/19/2021, by Rep. Mary E. Flowers

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

210 ILCS 88/35

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a hospital or a hospital's agent may not aggressively pursue debt collection for non-payment of a hospital bill against a patient with an annual household income of $51,000 or less by garnishing wages, seizing moneys from tax returns, or pursuing an action that may result in foreclosure on the patient's home. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a hospital, whenever possible and after reviewing a patient's eligibility, shall charge as much as possible of the patient's hospital bill to insurers, public assistance programs, the medical assistance program established under the Illinois Public Aid Code, or the Medicare program rather than the patient. Provides that the hospital, and not the patient, is responsible for seeking reimbursement from insurers, public assistance programs, the medical assistance program established under the Illinois Public Aid Code, or the Medicare program.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

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) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a hospital or a hospital's agent may not aggressively pursue debt collection for non-payment of a hospital bill against a patient with an annual household income of $51,000 or less by:

(1) garnishing wages;

(2) seizing moneys from tax returns; or

(3) pursuing an action that may result in foreclosure on the patient's home.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a hospital, whenever possible and after reviewing a patient's eligibility, shall charge as much as possible of the patient's hospital bill to insurers, public assistance programs, the medical assistance program established under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code, or the Medicare program rather than the patient. The hospital, and not the patient, is responsible for seeking reimbursement from insurers, public assistance programs, the medical assistance program established under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code, or the Medicare program under this subsection.

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