MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Banks
AN ACT TO REQUIRE A HOSPITAL LOCATED IN MISSISSIPPI TO PUBLISH FOR THE PUBLIC THE CALCULATIONS OF ANY DISCOUNT GIVEN BY THE HOSPITAL TO A HEALTH INSURER ON BEHALF OF THE HOSPITAL'S PATIENT OR FORMER PATIENT; TO REQUIRE THE HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE CERTAIN ITEMIZED INFORMATION ON THE HOSPITAL BILL SENT TO THE PATIENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) Every hospital located in the state shall make and publish, disseminate, circulate or place before the public, or cause, directly or indirectly, to be made and published, disseminated, circulated or placed before the public, in a newspaper, magazine or other publication, or in the form of a notice, circular, pamphlet, letter or poster, the calculations of any discounts given by the hospital to any health insurer on behalf of patients or former patients of the hospital.
(2) In addition to any other information printed on a hospital bill sent by a hospital to a patient or former patient, the hospital shall provide the following itemized information on each hospital bill sent to the patients:
(a) The amount billed to the patient by the hospital for the services rendered by the hospital;
(b) The amount billed to the patient's health insurer;
(c) The amount paid by the health insurer;
(d) The percentage of any discount given to the health insurer by the hospital; and
(e) The amount owed to the hospital by the patient.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.