SB198 Summary

• Establishes the "Patient Credit Protection Act" to protect patients with health insurance from negative credit reporting for medical debt owed after insurance copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance are paid or being paid under a payment plan

• Prohibits healthcare providers from reporting medical debt to consumer reporting agencies without express written consent from the original healthcare provider, and requires removal of credit impairments within 30 days once debt is paid or patient enters a payment plan

• Allows covered persons to file civil actions against healthcare providers who purposely charge unconscionably excessive amounts, recovering actual damages or $1,500 (whichever is greater), with potential tripling to $5,000 if violation is willful through arbitration

• Authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions on behalf of covered persons and provides prevailing parties reasonable attorney's fees and costs up to 5 times the damages awarded

• Effective January 1, 2022, with the Insurance Commissioner required to promulgate implementing rules by that date