CA AB1312

Requires hospitals starting July 1, 2027, to screen patients and presumptively determine charity care or discount payment eligibility if the patient is enrolled in CalFresh, CalWORKs, WIC, CARE, LIHEAP, Housing Choice Voucher program, or was approved for charity care within the previous six months, or is experiencing homelessness

Mandates hospitals screen for charity care eligibility patients who are uninsured, enrolled in Medi-Cal with cost sharing, eligible for Hospital Presumptive Eligibility, or enrolled in a Covered California health plan

Prohibits hospitals from requiring patients to apply for Medicare, Medi-Cal, or other coverage before being screened for or receiving discounted payment

Allows patients to opt out of screening through a signed form that must be placed in their medical record, while preserving their right to apply for charity care at any time

Requires hospitals to provide written notice to patients determined eligible for charity care before sending any billing statements, and all bills must reflect the charity care or discount payment adjustments