MD SB796

Health care providers must give patients a written treatment plan with estimated costs and a standardized disclosure form before discussing third-party financing options (credit cards, loans, lines of credit) for medical services

Providers are prohibited from obtaining financing on a patient's behalf, completing financing applications for patients, or providing electronic devices to apply for financing; they also cannot promote financing to patients under anesthesia or during active treatment

Providers cannot bill a third-party financier more than 30 days before providing services, and must refund patients within 15 days for any treatment not provided

When a patient's insurance covers services, providers may only offer financing for copays, coinsurance, or deductibles—not for the insured services themselves

Violations constitute unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices subject to enforcement by the Attorney General; the Consumer Protection Division must publish required disclosure forms in multiple languages; effective October 1, 2026