Providers must follow rules for financing care and extra products

Providers may not promote third-party financing in specified ways, take rewards for promoting it, or complete or submit a consumer's financing application. These rules cover state-licensed health care providers and licensed veterinarians, including their employees, agents, and contractors acting for them, when serving consumers in Connecticut. Providers may not use their branding on financing signs or branded third-party financing websites, or promote financing while a consumer is sedated, receiving care, or in a care area. The care-area restriction has exceptions when there is no separate area, or when a veterinarian judges moving an animal could risk harm. Providers may charge a financing account for care before it is given if they have already incurred that cost. They may charge for an extra product only if the consumer receives a receipt identifying it and its price, or separately agrees in writing. These rules apply starting January 1, 2027. They do not interfere with agreements providers entered into before that date.

Give consumers a written disclosure when discussing third-party financing terms. This applies to health care and veterinary care providers who discuss third-party financing terms with a consumer. The disclosure must use at least 14-point type and the main language the provider uses with the consumer. It explains that the credit or loan comes from a third-party lender, is not the provider's payment plan, and may bring interest, penalties, credit harm, or a lawsuit if unpaid. No disclosure is required when a provider only says it accepts third-party financing without discussing its terms. This rule applies to discussions on or after January 1, 2027.

Allow a consumer to return the product and receive a full refund. This applies to consumers who buy an extra product from a health or veterinary care provider using third-party financing. The product must be an extra product sold by the provider alongside health or veterinary care and paid for with third-party financing. A provider need not accept a return or refund the price if the product was customized so others cannot use it, or if it was used, damaged, tampered with, or stored in a way that may have compromised it. The 30-day return period starts on the sale date. This rule applies to sales on or after January 1, 2027.