Becker's Healthcare August 7, 2024
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance Aug. 6 that will require hospitals to inform the county’s health department of attempts to collect medical debt from patients, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The ordinance will need a second vote before it is implemented. It will require hospitals to alert the health department within a month or two of initiating debt collection efforts; report up to four times per year on patients’ medical debt amounts; and share what financial assistance was offered. Once the ordinance goes into effect, hospitals would have about six months to comply and submit reports. Violations could result in fines or legal action.
Public health officials have said the goal...
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