Section 127420.

(a) Each hospital shall make all reasonable efforts to obtain from the patient or his or her representative information about whether private or public health insurance or sponsorship may fully or partially cover the charges for care rendered by the hospital to a patient, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(1) Private health insurance.

(2) Medicare.

(3) The Medi-Cal program, the Healthy Families Program, the California Childrens' Services Program, or other state-funded programs designed to provide health coverage.

(b) If a hospital bills a patient who has not provided proof of coverage by a third party at the time the care is provided or upon discharge, as a part of that billing, the hospital shall provide the patient with a clear and conspicuous notice that includes all of the following:

(1) A statement of charges for services rendered by the hospital.

(2) A request that the patient inform the hospital if the patient has health insurance coverage, Medicare, Healthy Families, Medi-Cal, or other coverage.

(3) A statement that if the consumer does not have health insurance coverage, the consumer may be eligible for Medicare, Healthy Families, Medi-Cal, California Childrens' Services Program, or charity care.

(4) A statement indicating how patients may obtain applications for the Medi-Cal program and the Healthy Families Program and that the hospital will provide these applications. If the patient does not indicate coverage by a third-party payer specified in subdivision (a), or requests a discounted price or charity care then the hospital shall provide an application for the Medi-Cal program, the Healthy Families Program or other governmental program to the patient. This application shall be provided prior to discharge if the patient has been admitted or to patients receiving emergency or outpatient care.

(5) Information regarding the financially qualified patient and charity care application, including the following:

(A) A statement that indicates that if the patient lacks, or has inadequate, insurance, and meets certain low- and moderate-income requirements, the patient may qualify for discounted payment or charity care.

(B) The name and telephone number of a hospital employee or office from whom or which the patient may obtain information about the hospital's discount payment and charity care policies, and how to apply for that assistance.

(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 755, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)