Health care law sets rules for hospital aid and insurance coverage

Hospitals must screen certain patients for possible financial assistance before sending a bill. The rule covers uninsured patients, people enrolled in the state medical assistance program, and patients who owe more than $1,500 for one hospital visit. Hospitals may not require documents or other proof for this initial screening. Hospitals must apply assistance for which the patient qualifies before billing the patient. Patients may still apply for assistance after screening, including up to 12 months after paying for services. The supplied text makes the act effective on April 7, 2026, but does not state a separate operative date for these hospital provisions.

Health and casualty insurers must cover medically necessary anesthesia services for covered procedures without using a preset time limit to deny payment. The rule applies to group and individual health or casualty insurance policies, including health benefit plans. The procedure itself must be covered by the policy. The anesthesia services must be medically necessary. An insurer may not deny payment solely because the anesthesia lasted longer than a preset limit. This coverage rule applies to policies issued, renewed or extended on or after January 1, 2027.

The Department of Human Services must run a program that pays eligible parents for attendant care services provided to their children. The program covers parents caring for minor children with developmental or intellectual disabilities or specified medically fragile conditions who have very high medical or behavioral needs. The program is subject to department rules, another cited statute and available funding. The parent must work as a direct support professional or personal support worker and may not use a family-owned or family-managed agency for the paid care. Paid care generally may not occur during school hours, except when the child is temporarily home recovering from surgery or illness and a health care provider recommends the absence. The department must adopt rules on training, background checks, oversight, caregiver safeguards and appeals. The supplied text does not state a separate start date for this program.