MN HF4549

Amends Minnesota Statutes 62J.701 to clarify that requirements for health plan companies also apply to governmental programs, including medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, state employee group insurance, and public employees insurance programs.

Removes the January 1, 1999 effective date language and restructures paragraphs in section 62J.701 for clarity without changing substantive requirements.

Requires health care providers to include three additional items on patient bills: the dollar amount the provider accepts as payment in full, the Medicare-allowable fee-for-service payment rate, and the provider's Medicare percent (defined as the percentage of Medicare allowable payment the provider accepts as full payment).

Clarifies that bills must be explicit, intelligible, and contain descriptive language understandable by the average patient, with patients able to request itemized bills in writing from providers or health plan companies.

Exempts flat co-payments paid at the time of service from billing requirements; both sections take effect January 1, 2021.