(1) For purposes of this section, the term “facility” means:
(a) An urgent care center as defined in s. 395.002; or
(b) A diagnostic-imaging center operated by a hospital licensed under this chapter which is not located on the hospital’s premises.
(2) A facility must publish and post a schedule of charges for the medical services offered to patients.
(3) The schedule of charges must describe the medical services in language comprehensible to a layperson. The schedule must include the prices charged to an uninsured person paying for such services by cash, check, credit card, or debit card. The schedule must be posted in a conspicuous place in the reception area and must include, but is not limited to, the 50 services most frequently provided. The schedule may group services by three price levels, listing services in each price level. The posting may be a sign, which must be at least 15 square feet in size, or may be through an electronic messaging board. If a facility is affiliated with a licensed hospital under this chapter, the schedule must include text that notifies the insured patients whether the charges for medical services received at the center will be the same as, or more than, charges for medical services received at the affiliated hospital. The text notifying the patient of the schedule of charges shall be in a font size equal to or greater than the font size used for prices and must be in a contrasting color. The text that notifies the insured patients whether the charges for medical services received at the center will be the same as, or more than, charges for medical services received at the affiliated hospital shall be included in all media and Internet advertisements for the center and in language comprehensible to a layperson.
(4) The posted text describing the medical services must fill at least 12 square feet of the posting. A facility may use an electronic device or messaging board to post the schedule of charges. Such a device must be at least 3 square feet, and patients must be able to access the schedule during all hours of operation of the facility.
(5) A facility that is operated and used exclusively for employees and the dependents of employees of the business that owns or contracts for the facility is exempt from this section.
(6) The failure of a facility to publish and post a schedule of charges as required by this section shall result in a fine of not more than $1,000, per day, until the schedule is published and posted.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2011-122; s. 2, ch. 2012-160; s. 2, ch. 2016-234.