§4306-C.__Statement of price; required

With the exception of emergency services, upon request of the patient or of someone requesting on behalf of the patient, a provider shall state the price of the service expected to be provided to the patient.__If the price stated is different from the lowest price stated in the price list for that service, the provider shall explain why the lowest price is not available to the patient.

Sec. 3. 24-A MRSA §§4315 to 4317 are enacted to read:

§4315.__Right of action and damages

The State may bring a civil action in District Court or Superior Court for direct or indirect injury to any person, group of persons, the State or a political subdivision of the State caused by a violation of section 4306-A or 4306-B.__If the State prevails, the defendant shall pay 3 times the amount of damages and the costs of the suit, including necessary and reasonable investigative costs, reasonable expert fees and reasonable attorney's fees.__Punitive damages may be awarded for a willful violation of either of these sections.__After deduction of the costs of distribution, the damages must be equitably distributed by the State to all injured parties.

§4316.__Civil violation

Each violation of section 4306-A or 4306-B is a civil violation for which the Attorney General may obtain, in addition to other remedies, injunctive relief and a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000, plus the costs of suit, including necessary and reasonable investigative costs, reasonable expert fees and reasonable attorney's fees.

§4317.__Unfair trade practice

In addition to a civil violation under section 4-316, a violation of section 4306-A or 4306-B is also a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.

SUMMARY

This bill requires that health care providers publish detailed information about the prices charged for health care services.