S 6375: Removes the requirement that consent for the payment of certain medical services must occur after such services are administered - New York

S6375B → S6375C · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill version adds a second sponsor, Senator Jackson, and updates the procedural history to reflect that the bill was recommitted to the Health Committee under a specific Senate rule. The core text regarding patient consent forms remains largely the same, but the formatting of the required 'Good Faith Estimate' language was adjusted to be clearer, and the requirement for the form to be signed was moved to a separate paragraph for better readability.

TECHNICAL

Added Senator Jackson as a co-sponsor to the bill.

Updated the procedural history to include a specific Senate rule regarding the bill's recommitment to the Health Committee.

REQUIREMENT

Reformatted the section on consent forms to separate the signature requirement from the content requirements, improving clarity.

Adjusted the phrasing of the 'Good Faith Estimate' requirement to ensure it is provided upon request and subject to regulations.

S6375A → S6375B · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove the requirement that patients must consent to payment only after receiving medical services, allowing providers to obtain payment consent beforehand. Additionally, the bill was renamed from the "no blank checks for medical debt act" to reflect its focus on standardizing consent forms and limiting patient liability to the actual cost of services provided.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a strict prohibition on pre-service payment consent to a more flexible framework that permits such consent while mandating specific language on liability limits and the right to request cost estimates.

REQUIREMENT

Deleted the mandate that consent for payment cannot be obtained until after the patient receives the health care service.

Changed the requirement for the consent form from a 'standardized patient liability form' to a 'uniform patient liability form' that must explicitly state the patient is only liable for the actual cost of services provided.

Added a mandatory clause to the consent form informing patients they may request a 'Good Faith Estimate' for current or future visits.

DEFINITION

Renamed the short title of the act from the 'no blank checks for medical debt act' to describe the removal of the post-service consent requirement and the requirement for a uniform consent form.

S6375 → S6375A · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to incorporate a more detailed version of the 'no blank checks for medical debt act' previously passed in 2024, replacing the old text with updated language that strengthens patient protections. The changes clarify that consent to pay must be separate from consent for treatment and expand the definition of valid consent to include digital safeguards against deceptive design. This ensures patients are not forced into unlimited financial liability and receive clear cost estimates before receiving non-emergency care.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on amending the Public Health Law regarding patient consent and financial liability forms, but the substantive requirements within the law were updated to reflect the stricter standards of the 2024 session.

REQUIREMENT

The definition of valid patient consent was expanded to explicitly require that consent cannot be obtained through deceptive digital interfaces or by inferring consent from inaction, strengthening consumer protections.

The requirement for a good-faith estimate was clarified to specify the 'maximum total cost' to the patient, ensuring providers disclose the full potential financial burden rather than just a general estimate.

The previous draft's specific requirement that consent forms must be signed simultaneously with the disclosure of financial assistance forms was removed, likely to allow for more flexible implementation of these disclosures.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was updated to reflect the official committee discharge and amendment status, indicating this is the final version ready for enactment.

Removes the requirement that consent for the payment of certain medical services must occur after such services are administered

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