(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.
(b) For the purposes of this section:
(1) "extraordinary collection actions" means an action described in Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 1.501(r)-6;
(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;
(3) "nonprofit hospital" means a hospital that claims federal tax status under United States Code, title 26, section 501(r); and
(4) "plain language summary" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 1.501(r)-1.
History:2015 c 20 s 1; 2016 c 158 art 1 s 201