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Uninsured Benefit From Right To Know Act

By Eddie Farah

Beginning January 1, 2009, the Health Care Consumer's Right to Information Act will provide medical consumers with reliable and understandable information about health care charges so a patient can make an informed decision.

The law is aimed at helping the uninsured patient who is seeking doctor or hospital services. Generally they are charged the full retail rate, not the lower rate presented to an insured patient whose insurance company has negotiated.

This puts the uninsured at a distinct disadvantage. The uninsured are more likely to be sued by a medical provider and have liens placed against their property and their wages garnished.

This Act requires that an uninsured patient receive a reasonable estimate of charges whether from a hospital, ambulatory center, osteopath, or allopathic physician for any planned nonemergency health care.

In addition, the consumer must be told about the discounts available for the uninsured they may be eligible for. The language must be written in clear and concise way to be understood by the ordinary layperson.

The estimate must be the average that is charged for that type of diagnosis or for that specific procedure.

This requirement applies to facilities not operated by the state. Within seven days after the patient notifies the facility they are uninsured, they must be provided with the estimate.

In the reception area of the facility, information about discount or charity policies must be posted. To fail to do so subjects the facility to a $500 fine.

A patient who wants to know what the standard retail rate is for 150 of the most commonly performed inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, or preventive adult and pediatric procedures, can check with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which must publish that information on its Web site.

It's ironic that people who have the least ability to pay are the ones preyed on by the medical establishment. A hospital can be very aggressive about collecting an overdue bill and many people are forced into bankruptcy as a result. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on August 23, 2008 (boomark / email).