SB3261 Summary

• Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act by adding Section 27 to establish standard application procedures and presumptive eligibility methodologies for hospital financial assistance, with the Attorney General adopting rules by June 30, 2013.

• Requires non-rural hospitals to provide discounts to uninsured patients with family income up to 600% of federal poverty guidelines and 100% charitable discounts for those earning up to 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

• Requires rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals to provide discounts to uninsured patients with family income up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines and 100% charitable discounts for those earning up to 125% of federal poverty guidelines.

• Caps the maximum collectible amount from eligible uninsured patients at 25% of family income per 12-month period and allows hospitals to exclude patients with assets exceeding specified thresholds from this cap.

• Requires hospitals to include prominent statements on patient bills informing uninsured patients about discount eligibility and how to apply for financial assistance.