MN HF2599

Hospitals must screen uninsured or unknown-coverage patients within 30 days for eligibility for charity care, state/federal public health programs, and premium tax credits, attempting contact in person or by phone.

Hospitals may not initiate debt collection, payment plans, loans, or deny services while a charity care application is pending, and cannot require unreasonable application procedures or duplicate verification of assets.

Hospitals must post charity care availability notices in admission, emergency, and billing areas in languages spoken by more than 5% of the service area population, and make policies and applications available on their websites.

Hospitals must file affidavits of expert review certifying compliance with screening and assistance requirements before pursuing debt collection actions, garnishments, or referrals to third-party debt collectors; failure results in mandatory case dismissal or fines.

Hospitals cannot charge patients with household income under $125,000 more than what their most favored insurer would reimburse, including patient cost-sharing amounts.