Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1718 is enacted to read:

§1718.__Billing prohibited

Billing for certain health care services and supplies is prohibited by health care practitioners and health care facilities according to this section.

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Carrier" means a carrier licensed under Title 24 or 24-A to provide health coverage.

B.__"Health care" has the same meaning as in section 1711- C, subsection 1, paragraph C.

C.__"Health care facility" has the same meaning as in section 1711-C, subsection 1, paragraph D.

D.__"Health care practitioner" has the same meaning as in section 1711-C, subsection 1, paragraph F.

2.__Prohibition.__A health care facility or health care practitioner may not seek reimbursement from a patient or representative of the patient for services or supplies in the following circumstances:

A.__The carrier providing coverage for the patient has determined that the services or supplies were not medically necessary; or

B.__The services or supplies were not actually provided to or used in the delivery of health care for the patient.

3.__Application.__This section applies to reimbursement for health care services and supplies provided to or used in connection with patients, beginning on October 15, 2003.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits health care practitioners and health care facilities from billing patients for services or