1. (a) A hospital shall provide written notice of the hospital's payment assistance program to a patient or the patient's representative at one (1) of the following times:

   1. (1) During registration or intake for inpatient or outpatient services.
   2. (2) At discharge.
   3. (3) With the initial billing statement for the provided services.

2. (b) The written notice required under subsection (a) must include the following:

   1. (1) A description of available payment assistance programs.
   2. (2) Eligibility criteria.
   3. (3) Application instructions.
   4. (4) Contact information for a hospital representative when assistance is needed to complete the application.

3. (c) A hospital may provide notice to a patient or the patient's representative under subsection (a):

   1. (1) in a writing delivered to the patient or the patient's representative;
   2. (2) by electronic mail; or

   3. (3) through a mobile application or another Internet based method, if available;

      according to the preference for communication expressed by the patient or patient's representative.

As added by P.L.88-2026, SEC.5.