House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to improve pricing transparency in Montana's hospitals by requiring them to publicly disclose standard charges for all hospital items and services. This includes detailed information such as gross charges, deidentified minimum and maximum negotiated charges, and discounted cash prices, all of which must be made available in a machine-readable format on the hospital's website and updated at least annually. Additionally, hospitals are mandated to provide a consumer-friendly list of at least 300 shoppable services, including specific services identified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The bill also establishes reporting requirements, including the submission of pricing lists to the Department of Public Health and Human Services and annual reports on facility fees, while granting enforcement authority to the Department of Justice.

Moreover, the bill introduces new regulations concerning patient debt collection practices, designating violations of these provisions as unlawful practices. Noncompliant hospitals may face investigative and enforcement actions, and individuals harmed by such violations can seek damages if they report the issue to the hospital and it remains unaddressed for 30 days. The legislation prohibits hospitals from initiating collection actions against patients for debts incurred while in violation of the outlined requirements, mandates refunds for any payments made during noncompliance, and ensures that no negative credit reports are filed during the resolution of civil actions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance consumer protection and accountability within the healthcare system.