MS HB1147

Hospitals and health care providers are granted a lien on patient claims and damages recovered through lawsuits or settlements for reasonable and necessary charges for hospital care, treatment, and maintenance.

Hospital liens must be filed in the circuit court clerk's office of the county where the hospital is located and include a verified statement with patient information, admission/discharge dates, charges claimed, and names of potentially liable parties.

Patients or their representatives must provide notice to health care providers before satisfying any judgment, award, settlement, or compromise and cannot satisfy such awards without first satisfying the hospital lien.

Health care providers are granted a lien on gross proceeds of payments made directly to patients or policyholders by third-party payors in an amount equal to all reasonable and necessary charges for hospital care and treatment.

The lien applies to third-party liability settlements, auto insurance benefits, underinsured motorist coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and wrongful death claims; this act takes effect July 1, 2024.