AK HB123

Health care providers and facilities must annually compile and publish lists of their 10 most commonly performed services from each of six procedural categories, including procedure codes, undiscounted prices, and facility fees, with plain language descriptions by January 31 each year.

Providers and facilities must submit lists to the Department of Health and Social Services database, post physical copies in 20-point font in reception areas, list contracted health insurers, and post online if they have websites.

Patients requesting estimates for nonemergency care must receive good faith estimates within 10 business days in their preferred format (oral, written, or electronic), including procedure codes, facility fees, and notice of in-network or out-of-network status.

Health care insurers must provide good faith estimates to covered persons upon request for nonemergency services and are not liable if estimates differ from actual charges.

Violations carry civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, with daily penalties of up to $100 for failure to comply with listing requirements after March 31 or up to $100 daily for failure to provide estimates; act takes effect January 1, 2019.