CA AB1503

Requires uninsured patients or patients with high medical costs at or below 350% of federal poverty level to be eligible for discount payments from emergency physicians at hospitals providing emergency care.

Limits expected payment from eligible patients to no more than 50% of median billed charges from a nationally recognized database, or median/average rates paid by commercial insurers once FAIR Health, Inc. creates such a database.

Prohibits emergency physicians from reporting adverse credit information or commencing civil collection actions for at least 150 days after initial billing, and restricts use of wage garnishments and liens on primary residences for eligible patients.

Requires emergency physicians to provide patients with written notice about discount payment policies, eligibility requirements, and information about public health programs like Medi-Cal and Healthy Families.

Establishes that violations of these provisions do not constitute violations of physician and surgeon licensure, and prohibits insurers from reducing reimbursement to physicians who provide discounts under these policies.