Description

In April of 2006, New York State enacted a groundbreaking law providing protections for uninsured and underinsured patients who face large hospital bills. The new law requires hospitals, as a condition of participation in the $847 million Indigent Care Pool, to have financial assistance policies and procedures based on a series of provisions that took effect as of January 1, 2007. Through the required policies and procedures, the law restricts the charges hospitals are allowed to apply to low income and uninsured patients, regulates the methods by which hospitals can collect payment from patients, and requires hospitals to inform all patients of the availability of financial assistance.