SB 29 Summary

• Prohibits hospitals from charging patients for services related to readmission within 30 days of discharge until the State Department of Health completes a review.

• Requires the State Department of Health to review each readmission and determine whether it could have been prevented.

• If the Department determines the readmission was preventable, the hospital cannot charge the patient for any services provided during that readmission.

• If the Department determines the readmission was not preventable, the hospital may charge the patient normally for services rendered.

• Effective date: November 1, 2011.