50-5-121. Hospital discrimination based on ability to pay prohibited -- charity care requirements. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3), a hospital must have in writing:
(a) a policy applying to all patients, including medicaid and medicare patients, that prohibits discrimination based on a patient's ability to pay; and
(b) a charity care policy consistent with industry standards applicable to the area the facility serves and the tax status of the hospital.
(2) A hospital may not transfer a patient to another hospital or health care facility based on the patient's ability to pay for health care services.
(3) A specialty hospital must have in writing a charity care policy consistent with industry standards for nonprofit hospitals irrespective of the tax status of the specialty hospital.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 456, L. 2009.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 5. Hospitals and Related Facilities
50-5-103. Rules and standards -- accreditation
50-5-104. Certain exemptions for spiritual healing institution
50-5-105. Discrimination prohibited
50-5-106. Records and reports required of health care facilities -- confidentiality
50-5-107. Unlawful use of word nursing
50-5-111. Prohibited activities
50-5-114. Administrative enforcement -- notice -- order for corrective action
50-5-116. Facility inspections
50-5-117. Economic credentialing of physicians prohibited -- definitions
50-5-118. through 50-5-120 reserved
50-5-121. Hospital discrimination based on ability to pay prohibited -- charity care requirements