(210 ILCS 88/5)
Sec. 5. Purpose; findings.
(a) The purpose of this Act is to advance the prompt and accurate payment of health care services through fair and reasonable billing and collection practices of hospitals.
(b) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Medical debts are the cause of an increasing
number of bankruptcies in Illinois and are typically associated with severe financial hardship incurred by bankrupt persons and their families.
(2) Patients, hospitals, and government bodies
alike will benefit from clearly articulated standards regarding fair billing and collection practices for all Illinois hospitals.
(3) Hospitals should employ responsible standards
when collecting debt from their patients.
(4) Patients should be provided sufficient billing
information from hospitals to determine the accuracy of the bills for which they may be financially responsible.
(5) Patients should be given a fair and reasonable
opportunity to discuss and assess the accuracy of their bill.
(6) Patients should be provided information
regarding the hospital's policies regarding financial assistance options the hospital may offer to qualified patients.
(7) Hospitals should offer patients the opportunity
to enter into a reasonable payment plan for their hospital care.
(8) Patients have an obligation to pay for the
hospital services they receive.
(Source: P.A. 94-885, eff. 1-1-07.)
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Last modified: February 18, 2015