MN HF685

Provider-based clinics charging facility fees must notify patients prior to delivery of nonemergency services that the clinic is part of a hospital and they may receive a separate charge for the facility component, which may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses.

Health care facilities must post prominent statements on their websites and in patient-accessible locations disclosing that the provider-based clinic is part of a hospital and patients may receive separate facility charges.

Facility fee requirements do not apply to laboratory services, imaging services, or other ancillary health services provided by staff not employed by the health care facility or clinic.

Defines "facility fee" as any separate charge by a provider-based clinic in addition to professional physician fees intended to cover building, electronic medical records systems, billing, and other administrative and operational expenses.

Defines "provider-based clinic" as an off-campus clinic or provider office located at least 250 yards from main hospital buildings, owned by a hospital or health system, and primarily engaged in diagnostic and therapeutic care, excluding exclusively laboratory, x-ray, testing, therapy, pharmacy, educational services, and rural health clinics.