Disclosure of policies to patients.

(a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) HOSPITAL. Any facility as defined in Section 22-21-20.

(2) HOSPITAL BILL. A written statement provided to a patient after services are rendered by the hospital describing the services and the payment due for those services.

(3) UNINSURED PATIENT. A person receiving care at a hospital who does not have any third party source for payment of a hospital bill.

(b)(1) Each hospital must make available written information regarding its financial assistance policies. Each hospital bill or other summary of charges to a patient shall include a statement that a patient who meets certain income criteria may qualify for the financial assistance policy of the hospital.

(2) Each hospital shall conspicuously post a sign in the admission and registration areas of the hospital with the following notice:

"You may be eligible for financial assistance under the terms and conditions the hospital offers to qualified patients. For additional information, contact the hospital financial assistance representative."

(3) The sign shall be in English and in any other language that is the primary language of at least five percent of the patients annually served by the hospital.

(4) Each hospital that has a website must post a notice in a prominent place on its website, if financial assistance is available at the hospital, a description of the financial assistance application process and a copy of the financial assistance application.

(Act 2009-712, p. 2094, §§1, 2.)