Requiring hospitals to screen all patients for eligibility for such hospital's financial assistance program or charity care policy.

HB 2736 requires Kansas non-disproportionate share hospitals to screen every patient for eligibility for the hospital's financial assistance or charity care program *before* sending a billing statement. Hospitals must apply any qualifying discounts upfront and include clear notices on bills about financial assistance options, contact details, and policy links. Patients who are incorrectly denied care can request reconsideration, and hospitals must refund overcharged amounts plus associated costs if they wrongly denied eligibility. The bill aims to prevent hospitals from pursuing debt collection on patients who qualify for free or reduced-cost care, directly affecting patients seeking medical services and hospitals managing billing.