IL SB0146

Health care providers must review a patient's file to verify whether the patient has a Medicare supplement policy or other secondary payer health insurance before pursuing collection action against an insured patient.

If no supplemental policy is found in the patient's record, the provider must notify the patient and give them an opportunity to assess bill accuracy, clarify supplemental policy coverage, and address payment of unpaid amounts.

Health care providers may proceed with collection action only after exhausting supplemental policy review requirements and either finding no supplemental policy exists or receiving no payment from the patient.

"Supplemental policy" is defined as a Medicare supplement policy under Illinois Insurance Code Section 363 or any other secondary payer health insurance plan.

Collection agencies, law firms, or individuals cannot initiate legal action for non-payment without written approval from an authorized hospital employee who reasonably believes collection conditions have been met.