HF 1647

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/16/2015 03:39pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; allowing a patient to enjoin collection actions taken by a
nonprofit hospital if the hospital has failed to provide a financial assistance
policy; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 604.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [604.175] COMPLIANCE WITH DEBT COLLECTION
REQUIREMENTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Any patient may bring an action to enjoin extraordinary collection actions taken
by a nonprofit hospital if the hospital has failed to provide a plain language summary of
the financial assistance policy. A prevailing patient is entitled to reasonable attorney
fees and costs.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) "extraordinary collection actions" means an action described in Code of Federal
Regulations, title 26, section 1.501(r)-6;
new text end

new text begin (2) "financial assistance policy" means a written policy that meets the requirements
described in Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 1.501(r)-4;
new text end

new text begin (3) "nonprofit hospital" means a hospital that claims federal tax status under United
States Code, title 26, section 501(r); and
new text end

new text begin (4) "plain language summary" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations,
title 26, section 501(r)-1.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2016, and applies to a
nonprofit hospital on and after the date in 2016 when its fiscal year begins.
new text end