SB 105 requires health plans and nonprofit dental corporations providing dental benefits to offer payment methods that deliver 100% of the payable amount to dentists without charging the dentist a fee to access payment (excluding fees from the dentist's financial institution). Dentists who choose to opt out of a payment method must maintain that choice until they opt back in or sign a new contract. This bill directly affects dentists and dental benefit providers in Michigan, applying to policies delivered, issued, or renewed after the law's effective date. It mandates specific reimbursement structures to reduce financial barriers for dental providers.
HB 4072 requires hospitals and freestanding surgical outpatient facilities to offer patients any unused eye drops or eye ointments after ophthalmic surgical procedures or medical care. This applies when the facility-provided medication was administered to the patient and is required for their ongoing treatment upon discharge. The bill details labeling requirements if a pharmacist dispenses the drug, and assigns the responsibility for patient counseling on its use to the prescribing doctor. This allows patients to take home remaining eye medications for continued care.
SB 415 requires Michigan's medical assistance program to cover group prenatal care services beginning on the bill's effective date. This directly affects pregnant individuals enrolled in Michigan's medical assistance program (like Medicaid) by mandating coverage for a specific type of care. The bill defines "group prenatal care services" as evidence-based, group-based visits that include health assessments, social support, education, and peer interaction in a family-centered setting. These services aim to support pregnant people through shared experiences and structured care, extending into early childhood.
SB 501 updates Michigan's licensing rules for physical therapists to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. This allows physical therapists licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without needing separate licenses, directly affecting licensed physical therapists seeking multi-state practice. The bill amends specific sections of Michigan's health code and adds new provisions to implement the compact agreement. It does not change patient care standards or create new fees, focusing solely on streamlining licensing across state lines. The compact is a voluntary agreement among states to recognize each other's licenses, reducing administrative barriers for therapists.
HB 4101 establishes Michigan's participation in the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling physical therapists licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects physical therapists seeking to work across state lines, particularly those in states already part of the compact. The key mechanism is adopting a standardized licensing framework that allows reciprocal practice privileges among participating states. The bill amends Michigan's public health code to align with the compact's requirements, creating a streamlined process for interstate practice. It does not change existing licensure standards within Michigan but facilitates mobility for licensed physical therapists.
SB 702, the "Medical Debt Protection Act," limits how medical debt can be collected in Michigan. It prohibits interest or late fees for 90 days after a bill is due and caps annual interest at 3%. The bill bans wage garnishment, foreclosure, and other aggressive collection tactics for patients eligible for financial assistance under a healthcare facility’s policy. It also restricts selling medical debt to third parties without strict safeguards, requiring debt buyers to follow specific rules and return debt if a patient qualifies for financial help. The law directly affects patients with medical debt, large healthcare facilities, and medical debt collectors.
Senate Bill 144 revises the regulations for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, primarily impacting how patients can access physical therapy services. The bill eliminates the general requirement for a patient to have a prescription from another healthcare professional to receive physical therapy treatment. It allows physical therapists to treat patients directly, either for a limited period (21 days or 10 treatments) or for injury prevention and fitness, while also clarifying when a physical therapist must refer a patient to another healthcare professional. Additionally, the bill updates the legal definition of the "practice of physical therapy" to clarify what activities are included and excluded from a physical therapist's scope.
SB 450 amends Michigan law to require public hospital boards to follow the Hospital Financial Assistance Act when setting patient payment policies for non-charity care. It directly affects county public hospitals by making their financial assistance policies subject to existing state standards under the Hospital Financial Assistance Act. The bill updates Section 17 of the 1913 Public Act 350 to clarify that hospital trustees' authority over patient fees is governed by this act, ensuring consistent financial assistance rules across public hospitals.
SB 701 amends Section 3 of Michigan's Consumer Protection Act (MCL 445.903) to modify provisions related to unfair credit practices. The bill title indicates it aims to set a maximum interest rate for medical debt, but the provided bill text only shows the current language of Section 3 (which lists unfair trade practices like deceptive advertising, false representations, and misleading credit terms), not the proposed changes. The context does not include the specific amendment language or how it would alter the medical debt interest rate. Without the actual proposed text of the amendment, the precise policy change cannot be summarized. The bill is currently in committee for review.
SB 449 requires Michigan hospitals to create and implement financial assistance programs for uninsured patients and those with high medical debt relative to income. Specifically, hospitals must offer up to 100% discounts for patients earning at or below 350% of federal poverty guidelines, base eligibility on objective income metrics, and publish program details clearly on bills, statements, and websites in plain language. Hospitals must also report annual data on program usage and debt relief to the state health department by 2027, with violations subject to $10,000 civil fines. The law directly affects uninsured patients and hospital financial operations, aiming to reduce barriers to care for low-income individuals.
