FL S0656

Summary: CS for CS for SB 656 — Health Care Billing and Collection Activities

• Expands the definition of "extraordinary collection action" to apply to any bill for care provided by a licensed facility, not just care covered under the facility's financial assistance policy
• Allows licensed facilities to sell a patient's debt to another party without providing the standard 30 days' written notice before commencing collection, provided two conditions are met
• Requires that any debt sold under the notice exception may not incur interest or fees, and the debt purchaser is prohibited from taking any other extraordinary collection actions (such as liens, wage garnishment, civil suits, or credit reporting)
• Mandates that if sold debt is later determined to qualify for charity care under the facility's financial assistance policy, the debt must be returned to the licensed facility
• Takes effect July 1, 2025