LA HB946

Louisiana Department of Health must annually verify hospital compliance with federal price transparency requirements (45 CFR Part 180) and publish names of non-compliant hospitals on its website by January 1, 2027, and each year thereafter.

Hospitals not in material compliance with price transparency laws cannot initiate debt collection actions against patients for services provided during the period of non-compliance.

"Collection" includes referring debts to collectors, suing patients, enforcing arbitration clauses, and reporting to credit agencies.

Patients may sue hospitals they believe were non-compliant; if a court finds material non-compliance, the hospital must refund all payments, pay a penalty equal to the total debt, cover attorney fees, and remove negative credit reports.

Hospitals may still bill patients and insurers and retain payments as long as no prohibited collection action is taken.