MT HB689

Hospitals must publish all standard charges for items and services on their public website in machine-readable format, including gross charges, negotiated rates with each insurer, minimum/maximum negotiated charges, and discounted cash prices.

Hospitals must maintain a consumer-friendly list of at least 300 "shoppable services" (services that can be scheduled in advance), including the 70 services specified by CMS, with plain-language descriptions and pricing by payor.

Hospitals must disclose facility fees to patients at appointment scheduling and when services are rendered, including the dollar amount or estimated range of the patient's potential liability.

Noncompliant hospitals are prohibited from pursuing debt collection actions against patients; violations constitute unlawful trade practices enforceable by the Department of Justice, with a private right of action available after a 30-day cure period.

Hospitals must submit annual reports to the Department of Public Health and Human Services on facility fees, and the department must publish compliance reports to the legislature by September 1 each year.