What's happening
This bill requires health care providers to give patients written notice of fees before providing services if not covered by insurance.
Why it matters
Empowers patients to make informed financial decisions. by requiring written notice of out-of-pocket costs, helping individuals avoid surprise medical bills and plan for expenses ahead of time.
Expands transparency to a broad range of health care entities. , including hospitals, labs, pharmacies, physical therapists, and ambulance services—not just doctors—meaning more aspects of care are covered by the notification requirement.
Shifts some administrative responsibility onto providers. , who must institute new procedures to ensure patients receive written fee disclosures, potentially increasing operational costs but also strengthening trust and accountability.
May influence patient choice and competition. among providers, as clearer cost information could encourage patients to compare prices or seek more affordable care when insurance does not cover specific services.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Show Health Care Prices
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Disclose Health Care Fees
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2535
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. BARNWELL, ABINANTI, ROZIC -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to enacting the "transparency in health care fees act"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "transparency in health care fees act".
§ 2. Article 29-D of the public health law is amended by adding a new title 4-A to read as follows:
TITLE 4-A
BILLING Section 2999-l. Health care bills.
§ 2999-l. Health care bills. 1. For purposes of this title "health care provider" shall mean a practitioner in an individual practice, group practice, partnership, professional corporation or other authorized form of association, a hospital or other health care institution issued an operating certificate pursuant to this chapter or the mental hygiene law, a certified home health agency or a licensed home care services agency, and any other purveyor of health or health related items or services including but not limited to a clinical laboratory, a physiological laboratory, a pharmacy, a purveyor of x-ray or imaging services, a purveyor of physical therapy services, a purveyor of health or health related supplies, appliances or equipment, or an ambulance service.
2. Prior to performing any health care services, all health care providers shall advise patients in writing of the fee to be charged to the patient for the services to be rendered in the event such fee is not paid for by insurance.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00433-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.