CT HB05300

Expands the definition of patients protected from excessive charges to include uninsured patients earning up to 250% of poverty guidelines and patients without health insurance coverage earning above 250% of poverty guidelines.

Caps hospital charges for covered patients at 115% of the lowest amount the hospital receives from any insurer or Medicare for the same procedures, whichever is less.

Requires collection agents to provide written notice to patients stating whether the hospital classifies them as insured, uninsured, or without health insurance coverage, along with the reasons for that determination.

Mandates hospitals file current price schedules with the Office of Health Care Access and imposes a $500 civil penalty per occurrence for billing discrepancies that do not match the filed schedule.

Requires the Office of Health Care Access to post all hospital price schedules on the Department of Public Health's website for public access.