(a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
- (1) HOSPITAL. Any facility as defined in Section 22-21-20.
- (2) HOSPITAL BILL. A written statement provided to a patient after services are rendered by the hospital describing the services and the payment due for those services.
- (3) UNINSURED PATIENT. A person receiving care at a hospital who does not have any third party source for payment of a hospital bill.
(b)
- (1) Each hospital must make available written information regarding its financial assistance policies. Each hospital bill or other summary of charges to a patient shall include a statement that a patient who meets certain income criteria may qualify for the financial assistance policy of the hospital.
(2) Each hospital shall conspicuously post a sign in the admission and registration areas of the hospital with the following notice:
“You may be eligible for financial assistance under the terms and conditions the hospital offers to qualified patients. For additional information, contact the hospital financial assistance representative.”
- (3) The sign shall be in English and in any other language that is the primary language of at least five percent of the patients annually served by the hospital.
- (4) Each hospital that has a website must post a notice in a prominent place on its website, if financial assistance is available at the hospital, a description of the financial assistance application process and a copy of the financial assistance application.
(Act 2009-712, p. 2094, §§1, 2.)