Rep. SESSIONS proposes the following amendment (LC-4069.VR0003H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-327(A)(4) and inserting:

  (4) "Itemized bill" means a document that a healthcare facility provides to a patient outlining services provided and associated charges at the general department or service level.
  (4) "Itemized bill" means a written or electronic statement, meeting the requirements stated in Section 44-7-327 (B)(3), furnished by a healthcare facility to a patient that separately identifies each charge for services, supplies, medications, procedures, tests, room and board, or other billable items provided during a patient's receipt of services from a healthcare facility.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-327(B)(1)(b) and inserting:

   (b) provide to the patient a copy of the written itemized bill upon request of the alleged remittance sought for services and supplies provided to the patient during the patent's visit to the healthcare facility.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-327(B)(2)(a) and inserting:

  (2)(a) The healthcare facility must notify the patient in clear and conspicuous language, electronically andor in writing, if requested, of the availability of obtaining an itemized copy electronically or in writing pursuant to subsection (B)(1) and must offer the patient the ability to indicate the preferred form of the itemized bill.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-327(B)(3)(a) and inserting:

   (a) a plain language description, in accordance with the most current billing reading-level requirements and guidance provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, for healthcare services and supplies the healthcare facility provided to the patient as provided for in Section 44-7-3237(A)(3);

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 44-7-327(B)(5) and inserting:

  (5) A collection agency must not attempt to collect on a medical bill if provided notice of billing inaccuracies by the healthcare facility, patient, or debtor. After notice if any inaccuracies are determined to exist, the collection agency must cease collection activities and return the account back to the healthcare facility.
  (5) A healthcare facility may not pursue debt collection against a patient for a provided healthcare service or supply unless the healthcare facility has provided an itemized bill to the patient or the patient has waived the right to receive an itemized bill.

  (6) A collection agency is not liable under this section for billing inaccuracies by the healthcare facility. If any inaccuracies are determined, the collection agency must cease collection activities and return the account back to the healthcare facility.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.