Bill Text: WV SB661 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requiring health care providers make available to patients estimate of standard charges for items and services provided
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-18 - To Health and Human Resources [SB661 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2019-SB661-Introduced.html
WEST virginia legislature
2019 regular session
Introduced
Senate Bill 661
By Senator Maynard
[Introduced February
18, 2019; Referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-56-1, relating to requiring health care providers to make available to patients an estimate of the provider’s standard charges for items and services provided by the provider; and requiring under certain circumstances an explanation of options available and a cost comparison.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
article 56. Disclosures of charges by health care providers.
§16-56-1. Disclosures of charges by health care providers.
(a) Prior to scheduling an appointment or during an office or emergency room visit with a covered person for a standardized nonemergency or elective procedure, and in terms a patient typically understands, a health care provider shall, in a form that is consistent with federal guidelines, make available to the patient an estimate of the provider’s standard charges for items and services provided. If there are optional methods of treatment, the provider shall also explain the options and provide a cost comparison to the patient.
(b) For purposes of this section:
“Health care facility” means a hospital or an ambulatory surgery facility.
“Health care professional” means an individual, acting within the scope of his or her licensure or certification, who provides a covered service defined by the health benefits plan.
“Health care provider” or “provider” means a health care professional or health care facility.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require health care providers to make available to patients an estimate of the provider’s standard charges for items and services provided by the provider; and under certain circumstances an explanation of options available and a cost comparison.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.
