Hospitals - Financial Assistance - Medical Bill Reimbursement

HB 1336 requires Maryland hospitals to identify and refund patients who paid more than $25 for hospital services between 2017 and 2021 but qualified for free care under prior income-based eligibility rules. Hospitals must use tax data and Department of Human Services notifications to determine eligibility, then provide refunds to qualifying patients or notify them of their potential refund. The bill mandates hospitals to create dedicated webpages and marketing campaigns to inform patients about the refund process, while exempting refunds for patients previously denied care due to failed asset tests. It applies specifically to acute and chronic care hospitals in Maryland that served patients during the specified years.