Downloads
CS/HB 547 — Medical Debt
by Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee and Rep. Partington (CS/CS/SB 656 by Rules Committee; Health Policy Committee; and Senator Rodriguez)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill amends billing and collection activities of hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) in s. 395.3011, F.S., to:
- Expand the scope of “extraordinary collection action” to include actions taken in relation to obtaining payment for any bill of care, rather than only bills of care that are covered under a hospital’s or ASC’s financial assistance policy.
- Allow a hospital or ASC to sell a patient’s debt without the 30-day notice to the patient as required under current law if the debt:
- Is not subject to interest or fees and the purchaser of the debt does not take any other extraordinary collection actions that the hospital or ASC could otherwise take; and
- Is returned to the facility if the debt buyer determines that the debt qualifies for charity care under the facility’s financial assistance policy.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 116-0