MI SB0627

Hospitals using a charge description master must post an electronic copy on their website, or if no website exists, make a written or electronic copy available at the hospital location.

Hospitals must display clear and conspicuous notices in the emergency department (if applicable), admissions office, and billing office informing patients about the availability of the charge description master.

Hospitals cannot enter into contracts that prevent them from making their charge description master publicly available as required.

The Department of Health may investigate complaints filed by any person alleging violations and impose administrative fines up to $1,000 per day for each violation.

Charge description master is defined as a uniform schedule of charges representing the hospital's gross billed charge for a given service or item, regardless of payer type; the law takes effect 1 year after enactment.