Md. Code Regs. 10.37.10.26

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 25, December 13, 2024

Section 10.37.10.26 - Patient Rights and Obligations; Hospital Credit and Collection and Financial Assistance Policies

A. Hospital Information Sheet.

(1) Each hospital shall develop an information sheet that:

(a) Describes the hospital's financial assistance policy;

(b) Describes a patient's rights and obligations with regard to hospital billing and collection under the law;

(c) Provides contact information for the individual or office at the hospital that is available to assist the patient, the patient's family, or the patient's authorized representative in order to understand:

(i) The patient's hospital bill;

(ii) The patient's rights and obligations with regard to the hospital bill, including the patient's rights and obligations with regard to reduced-cost, medically necessary care due to a financial hardship;

(iii) How to apply for free and reduced-cost care; and

(iv) How to apply for the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and any other programs that may help pay the bill;

(d) Provides contact information for the Maryland Medical Assistance Program;

(e) Includes a statement that physician charges, to both hospital inpatients and outpatients, are generally not included in the hospital bill and are billed separately;

(f) Informs patients that the hospital is permitted to bill outpatients a fee, commonly referred to as a "facility fee", for their use of hospital facilities, clinics, supplies and equipment, and nonphysician services, including but not limited to the services of nonphysician clinicians, in addition to physician fees billed for professional services provided in the hospital;

(g) Informs patients of their right to request and receive a written estimate of the total charges for the hospital nonemergency services, procedures, and supplies that reasonably are expected to be provided and billed for by the hospital;

(h) Informs a patient or a patient's authorized representative of the right to file a complaint with the Commission or jointly with the Health Education and Advocacy Unit of the Maryland Attorney General's Office against a hospital for an alleged violation of Health-General Article, §§ 19-214.1 and 19-214.2, Annotated Code of Maryland, which relate to financial assistance and debt collection; and

(i) Provides the patient with the contact information for filing the complaint.

(2) The information sheet shall be in:

(a) Simplified language in at least 10-point type; and

(b) The patient's preferred language or, if no preferred language is specified, each language spoken by a limited English proficient population that constitutes 5 percent of the overall population within the city or county in which the hospital is located as measured by the most recent census.

(3) The information sheet shall be provided to the patient, the patient's family, or the patient's authorized representative:

(a) Before the patient receives scheduled medical services;

(b) Before discharge;

(c) With the hospital bill;

(d) On request; and

(e) In each written communication to the patient regarding collection of the hospital bill.

(4) The hospital bill shall include a reference to the information sheet.

(5) The Commission shall:

(a) Establish uniform requirements for the information sheet; and

(b) Review each hospital's implementation of and compliance with the requirements of this section.

A-1. Hospital Credit and Collection Policies.

(1) Each hospital shall submit to the Commission, at times prescribed by the Commission, the hospital's policy on the collection of debts owed by patients.

(2) The policy shall:

(a) Prohibit the charging of interest on bills incurred by self-pay patients before a court judgment is obtained;

(b) Describe in detail the consideration by the hospital of patient income, assets, and other criteria;

(c) Describe the hospital's procedures for collecting any debt;

(d) Describe the circumstances in which the hospital will seek a judgment against a patient;

(e) Provide for a refund of amounts collected from a patient or the guarantor of a patient who was later found to be eligible for free care on the date of service, in accordance §A-1(3) of this regulation;

(f) If the hospital, has obtained a judgment against or reported adverse information to a consumer reporting agency about a patient who later was found to be eligible for free care on the date of the service for which the judgment was awarded or the adverse information was reported, require the hospital to seek to vacated the judgment or strike the adverse information;

(g) Provide a mechanism for a patient to file with the hospital a complaint against the hospital or an outside collection agency used by the hospital regarding the handling of the patient's bill;

(h) Provide detailed procedures for the following actions:

(i) When a patient debt may be reported to a credit reporting agency;

(ii) When legal action may commence regarding a patient debt;

(iii) When garnishments may be applied to a patient's or patient guarantor's income; and

(iv) When a lien on a patient's or patient guarantor's personal residence or motor vehicle may be placed.

(3) Beginning October 1, 2010, as provided by Health-General Article, §19-214.2(c):

(a) A hospital shall provide for a refund of amounts exceeding $25 collected from a patient or the guarantor of a patient who, within a 2-year period after the date of service, was found to be eligible for free care on the date of service;

(b) A hospital may reduce the 2-year period under §A-1(3)(a) of this regulation to no less than 30 days after the date the hospital requests information from a patient, or the guarantor of a patient, to determine the patient's eligibility for free care at the time of service, if the hospital documents the lack of cooperation of the patient or the guarantor of a patient in providing the required information; and

(c) If a patient is enrolled in a means-tested government health care plan that requires the patient to pay out-of-pocket for hospital service, a hospital shall have a refund policy that complies with the terms of the patient's plan.

(4) For at least 120 days after issuing an initial patient bill, a hospital may not report adverse information about a patient to a consumer reporting agency or commence civil action against a patient for nonpayment unless the hospital documents the lack of cooperation of the patient or the guarantor of the patient in providing information needed to determine the patient's obligation with regard to the hospital bill.

(5) A hospital shall report the fulfillment of a patient's payment obligation within 60 days after the obligation is fulfilled to any consumer reporting agency to which the hospital had reported adverse information about the patient.

(6) A hospital may not force the sale or foreclosure of a patient's primary residence to collect a debt owed on a hospital bill. If a hospital holds a lien on a patient's primary residence, the hospital may maintain its position as a secured creditor with respect to other creditors to whom the patient may owe a debt.

(7) If a hospital delegates collection activity to an outside collection agency, the hospital shall:

(a) Specify the collection activity to be performed by the outside collection agency through an explicit authorization or contract;

(b) Specify procedures the outside collection agency must follow if a patient appears to qualify for financial assistance; and

(c) Require the outside collection agency to:

(i) In accordance with the hospital's policy, provide a mechanism for a patient to file with the hospital a complaint against the hospital or the outside collection agency regarding the handing of patient's bill; and

(ii) If a patient files a complaint with the collection agency, forward the complaint to the hospital.

(8) The Board of Directors of each hospital shall review and approve the financial assistance and debt collection policies of the hospital every 2 years. A hospital may not alter its financial assistance or debt collection policies without approval by the Board of Directors.

(9) The Commission shall review each hospital's implementation of and compliance with the hospital's policy and the requirements of §A-1(2) of this regulation.

A-2. Hospital Financial Assistance Responsibilities.

(1) Definitions.

(a) In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(b) Terms Defined.

(i) "Financial hardship" means medical debt, incurred by a family over a 12-month period that exceeds 25 percent of family income.

(ii) "Medical debt" means out-of-pocket expenses, excluding copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, for medical costs billed by a hospital.

(2) Financial Assistance Policy.

(a) On or before June 1, 2009, each hospital and, on or before October 1, 2010, each chronic care hospital under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall develop a written financial assistance policy for providing free and reduced-cost care to low-income patients who lack health care coverage or to patients whose health insurance does not pay the full cost of the hospital bill. A hospital shall provide notice of the hospital's financial assistance policy to the patient, the patient's family, or the patient's authorized representative before discharging the patient and in each communication to the patient regarding collection of the hospital bill. The financial assistance policy shall provide at a minimum:

(i) Free medically necessary care to patients with family income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level;

(ii) Reduced-cost, medically necessary care to low-income patients with family income between 200 and 300 percent of the federal poverty level, in accordance with the mission and service area of the hospital;

(iii) A maximum patient payment for reduced-cost care not to exceed the charges minus the hospital mark-up;

(iv) A payment plan available to patients irrespective of their insurance status with family income between 200 and 500 percent of the federal poverty level who request assistance; and

(v) A mechanism for a patient, irrespective of that patient's insurance status, to request the hospital to reconsider the denial of free or reduced care, including the address, phone number, facsimile number, email address, mailing address, and website of the Health Education and Advocacy Unit, which can assist the patient or patient's authorized representative in filing and mediating a reconsideration request.

(b) A hospital whose financial assistance policy as of May 8, 2009, provides for free or reduced-cost medical care to a patient at an income threshold higher than those set forth above may not reduce that income threshold.

(c) Presumptive Eligibility for Free Care. Unless otherwise eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, patients who are beneficiaries/recipients of the following means-tested social services programs are deemed eligible for free care, provided that the patient submits proof of enrollment within 30 days unless the patient or the patient's representative requests an additional 30 days:

(i) Households with children in the free or reduced lunch program;

(ii) Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP);

(iii) Low-income-household energy assistance program;

(iv) Primary Adult Care Program (PAC), until such time as inpatient benefits are added to the PAC benefit package;

(v) Women, Infants and Children (WIC); or

(vi) Other means-tested social services programs deemed eligible for hospital free care policies by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the HSCRC, consistent with HSCRC regulation COMAR 10.37.10.26.

(d) A hospital that believes that an increase to the income thresholds as set forth above may result in undue financial hardship to it may file a written request with the Commission that it be exempted from the increased threshold. In evaluating the hospital's request for exemption, the Commission shall consider the hospital's:

(i) Patient mix;

(ii) Financial condition;

(iii) Level of bad debt experienced;

(iv) Amount of charity care provided; and

(v) Other relevant factors.

(e) Based on staff's evaluation of the written request for an exemption, the Executive Director shall respond in writing within a reasonable period of time approving or disapproving the hospital's exemption request.

(f) A hospital denied an exemption request shall be afforded an opportunity to address the Commission at a public meeting on its request. Based on arguments made at the public meeting, the Commission may approve, disapprove, or modify the Executive Director's decision on the exemption request.

(3) Each hospital shall submit to the Commission within 60 days after the end of each hospital's fiscal year:

(a) The hospital's financial assistance policy developed under this section; and

(b) An annual report on the hospital's financial assistance policy that includes:

(i) The total number of patients who completed or partially completed an application for financial assistance during the prior year;

(ii) The total number of inpatients and outpatients who received free care during the immediately preceding year and reduced-cost care for the prior year;

(iii) The total number of patients who received financial assistance during the immediately preceding year, by race or ethnicity and gender;

(iv) The total number of patients who were denied financial assistance during the immediately preceding year, by race or ethnicity and gender;

(v) The total cost of hospital services provided to patients who received free care; and

(vi) The total cost of hospital services provided to patients who received reduced-cost care that was covered by the hospital as financial assistance or that the hospital charged to the patient.

(4) Financial Hardship Policy.

(a) Subject to §A-2(3)(b) and (c) of this regulation, the financial assistance policy required under this regulation shall provide reduced-cost, medically necessary care to patients with family income below 500 percent of the federal poverty level who have a financial hardship.

(b) A hospital may seek and the Commission may approve a family income threshold that is different than the family income threshold under §A-2(C)(1) of this regulation.

(c) In evaluating a hospital's request to establish a different family income threshold, the Commission shall take into account:

(i) The median family income in the hospital's service area;

(ii) The patient mix of the hospital;

(iii) The financial condition of the hospital;

(iv) The level of bad debt experienced by the hospital;

(v) The amount of the charity care provided by the hospital; and

(vi) Other relevant factors.

(d) If a patient has received reduced-cost, medically necessary care due to a financial hardship, the patient or any immediate family member of the patient living in the same household:

(i) Shall remain eligible for reduced-cost, medically necessary care when seeking subsequent care at the same hospital during the 12-month period beginning on the date on which the reduced-cost, medically necessary care was initially received; and

(ii) To avoid an unnecessary duplication of the hospital's determination of eligibility for free and reduced-cost care, shall inform the hospital of the patient's or family member's eligibility for the reduced-cost, medically necessary care.

(5) If a patient is eligible for reduced-cost medical care under a hospital's financial assistance policy or financial hardship policy, the hospital shall apply the reduction in charges that is most favorable to the patient.

(6) A notice shall be posted in conspicuous places throughout the hospital including the billing office informing patients of their right to apply for financial assistance and who to contact at the hospital for additional information.

(7) The notice required under §A-2(6) of this regulation shall be in:

(a) Simplified language in at least 10-point type; and

(b) The patient's preferred language or, if no preferred language is specified, each language spoken by a limited English proficient population that constitutes 5 percent of the overall population within the city or county in which the hospital is located as measured by the most recent census.

(8) Each hospital shall use a Uniform Financial Assistance Application in the manner prescribed by the Commission in order to determine eligibility for free and reduced-cost care.

(9) Each hospital shall establish a mechanism to provide the Uniform Financial Assistance Application to patients regardless of their insurance status. A hospital may require from patients or their guardians only those documents required to validate the information provided on the application.

(10) Asset Test Requirements. A hospital may, in its discretion, consider household monetary assets in determining eligibility for financial assistance in addition to the income-based criteria, or it may choose to use only income-based criteria. If a hospital chooses to utilize an asset test, the following types of monetary assets, which are those assets that are convertible to cash, shall be excluded:

(a) At a minimum, the first $10,000 of monetary assets;

(b) A "safe harbor" equity of $150,000 in a primary residence;

(c) Retirement assets to which the Internal Revenue Service has granted preferential tax treatment as a retirement account, including, but not limited to, deferred-compensation plans qualified under the Internal Revenue Code or nonqualified deferred-compensation plans;

(d) One motor vehicle used for the transportation needs of the patient or any family member of the patient;

(e) Any resources excluded in determining financial eligibility under the Medical Assistance Program under the Social Security Act; and

(f) Prepaid higher education funds in a Maryland 529 Program account.

(11) Monetary assets excluded from the determination of eligibility for free and reduced-cost care under these provisions shall be adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with the Consumer Price Index.

(12) In determining the family income of a patient, a hospital shall apply a definition of household size that consists of the patient and, at a minimum, the following individuals:

(a) A spouse, regardless of whether the patient and spouse expect to file a joint federal or State tax return;

(b) Biological children, adopted children, or stepchildren; and

(c) Anyone for whom the patient claims a personal exemption in a federal or State tax return.

(13) For a patient who is a child, the household size shall consist of the child and the following individuals:

(a) Biological parents, adoptive parents, stepparents, or guardians;

(b) Biological siblings, adopted siblings, or stepsiblings; and

(c) Anyone for whom the patient's parents or guardians claim a personal exemption in a federal or State tax return.

A-3. Patient Complaints. The Commission shall post a process on its website for a patient or a patient's authorized representative to file with the Commission a complaint against a hospital for an alleged violation of Health-General Article, § 19-214.1 or 19-214.2, Annotated Code of Maryland. The process established shall include the option for a patient or a patient's authorized representative to file the complaint jointly with the Commission and the Health Education and Advocacy Unit. The process shall conform to the requirements of Health-General Article, § 19-214.3, Annotated Code of Maryland.

B. Working Capital Differentials - Payment of Charges.

(1) A third-party payer may obtain a discount in rates established by the Commission if it provides current financing monies in accordance with the following terms.

(a) A third-party payer that provides current financing equal to the average amount of outstanding charges for bills from the end of each regular billing period and for discharged patients shall be entitled to a 2-percent discount. For purposes of this regulation, a regular billing period shall be based on a 30-day billing cycle. The current financing provided in here corresponds to a third party's paying on discharge.

(b) A third-party payer that provides current financing equal to the average amount of outstanding charges for discharged patients plus the average daily charges times the average length of stay, shall be entitled to a 2.25-percent discount. The current financing provided in here corresponds to a third party's paying on admission.

(c) Outstanding charges shall be calculated by an amount equal to the hospital's current average daily payment by the payer, multiplied by the hospital's and third party payer's processing and payment time. The precise calculation shall be made in accordance with the guidelines specified by Commission staff.

(d) Upon request from an applicant, the Commission may approve an alternative method of calculating current financing monies.

(e) The third-party payer shall adjust the current financing advance to reflect Commission rate orders and changes in volume associated with the particular payer and hospital. This adjustment shall be made within 45 days of a rate order or at such other time as circumstances warrant. In the absence of a rate order, the adjustment shall be made at least annually.

(2) The third-party payer shall promptly provide the Commission with a verified record of the detailed calculation of the current financing and of each recalculated balance as adjustments are made. The detailed calculations shall become a part of the public record. The Commission may, at any time, evaluate the amount of current financing monies provided to a hospital to assure that it meets the discount of requirements specified in §B(1) of this regulation. If the Commission finds that the amount of current financing is inconsistent with the requirements of §B(1), the Commission may, at its sole discretion, require an adjustment to the working capital advance or to the discount.

(3) A payer or self-paying patient, who does not provide current financing under §B(1)(a)-(e) of this regulation, shall receive a 2-percent discount if payment is made at the earlier of the end of each regular billing period or upon discharge from the hospital. Payment within 30 days of the earlier of the end of each regular billing period or discharge entitles a payer or self-pay patient to a 1-percent discount. For those payers not subject to Insurance Article, § 15-1005, Annotated Code of Maryland, after 60 days from the date of the earlier of the end of each regular billing period or discharge, interest or late payment charges may accrue on any unpaid charges at a simple rate of 1 percent per month. The interest or late payment charges may be added to the charge on the 61st day after the date of the earlier of the end of each regular billing period or discharge and every 30 days after that.

(4) Hospital Billing Responsibilities.

(a) A patient shall be given a bill for services at the earlier of the end of each regular billing period or upon discharge or dismissal (when dismissal for outpatients is analogous to discharge for inpatients).

(b) This bill shall cover substantially all care rendered and should, except for some last day ancillary services and excepting arithmetic errors, represent the full charge for the patient's care. In addition, a notice shall be posted prominently at the billing office of the hospital clearly notifying all patients of the availability of the discounts mentioned above.

(c) The bill and the notice shall state that the:

(i) Charge is due within 60 days of discharge or dismissal;

(ii) Patient shall receive a 2-percent discount by paying upon discharge or a 1-percent discount by paying within 30 days; and

(iii) Payers not subject to Insurance Article, § 15-1005, Annotated Code of Maryland, may be subject to interest or late payment charges at a rate of 1 percent per month beginning on the 61st day after the date of the earlier of the end of each regular billing period or discharge and every 30 days after that.

(5) Hospital Written Estimate.

(a) On request of a patient made before or during treatment, a hospital shall provide to the patient a written estimate of the total charges for the hospital services, procedures, and supplies that reasonably are expected to be provided and billed to the patient by the hospital.

(b) The written estimate shall state clearly that it is only an estimate and actual charges could vary.

(c) A hospital may restrict the availability of a written estimate to normal business office hours.

(d) The provisions set forth in §B(5)(a)-(c) of this regulation do not apply to emergency services.

C. GME Discounts. In those instances where a teaching hospital is reimbursed separately for the costs associated with the provision of graduate medical education (GME), the Commission shall calculate the percentage of the hospital's rates that these GME payments represent and provide notice of the amounts that may be credited toward the payment for services rendered. At all times, total payment received by the teaching hospital shall be in accordance with Commission-approved rates.

Md. Code Regs. 10.37.10.26

Regulation .26 amended as an emergency provision effective June 19, 2009 (36:15 Md. R. 1163); amended permanently effective October 5, 2009 (36:20 Md. R. 1530)
Regulation .26 amended effective November 15, 2010 (37:23 Md. R. 1611)
Regulation .26A amended effective July 1, 1988 (15:13 Md. R. 1555); April 3, 1989 (16:6 Md. R. 728); November 26, 1990 (17:23 Md. R. 2732); March 30, 1992 (19:6 Md. R. 674); June 7, 1993 (20:11 Md. R. 913); July 5, 1993 (20:13 Md. R. 1049); August 1, 1994 (21:15 Md. R. 1306)
Regulation .26A amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 1996 (23:13 Md. R. 938); emergency status expired November 13, 1996
Regulation .26A amended December 30, 1996 (23:26 Md. R. 1860)
Regulation .26A amended as an emergency provision effective November 24, 1997 (24:26 Md. R. 1752); emergency status extended to August 31, 1998 (25:12 Md. R. 943); emergency status extended to October 31, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1431)
Regulation .26A amended October 5, 1998 (25:20 Md. R. 1531)
Regulation .26A amended as an emergency provision effective February 25, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 480); amended permanently effective June 28, 1999 (26:13 Md. R. 1020)
Regulation .26A amended as an emergency provision effective June 26, 2000 (27:15 Md. R. 1397); amended permanently effective November 13, 2000 (27:22 Md. R. 2060)
Regulation .26A amended as an emergency provision effective December 6, 2000 (28:3 Md. R. 203); amended permanently effective April 30, 2001 (28:8 Md. R. 760)
Regulation .26A amended effective October 29, 2001 (28:21 Md. R. 1856); May 13, 2002 (29:9 Md. R. 745)
Regulation .26A repealed effective September 1, 2003 (30:17 Md. R. 1203)
Regulation .26A amended effective November 15, 2010 (37:23 Md. R. 1611); August 6, 2012 (39:15 Md. R. 963)
Regulation .26A-2 amended effective December 10, 2012 (39:24 Md. R. 1577)
Regulation .26B amended effective October 3, 1988 (15:20 Md. R. 2334); May 29, 1989 (16:10 Md. R. 1109); May 14, 1990 (17:9 Md. R. 1092); August 1, 1994 (21:15 Md. R. 1306); March 11, 1996 (23:5 Md. R. 380); September 30, 2002 (29:19 Md. R. 1524); April 10, 2006 (33:7 Md. R. 673); April 5, 2010 (37:7 Md. R. 572);41:15 Md. R. 891, eff. 8/4/2014
Regulation .26C adopted as an emergency provision effective April 7, 1998 (25:9 Md. R. 677); emergency status expired July 22, 1998; adopted permanently effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1435); amended effective 46:9 Md. R. 445, eff. 5/6/2019; amended effective 48:7 Md. R. 259, eff. 4/5/2021