The bill amends existing laws related to unprofessional conduct for medical practitioners and the prompt processing of claims by healthcare entities. It introduces a new section, 5-37-5.1, defining "unprofessional conduct" to include failing to submit medical bills to a health insurer solely because the bill may arise from a third-party claim, excluding workers' compensation claims.

Additionally, the bill revises Sections 27-18-61, 27-19-52, 27-20-47, and 27-41-64 to prohibit healthcare entities and health plans from denying claims for payment of any medical bill based solely on the reason that the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim or incident, other than a workers' compensation claim.

The bill mandates that all complete claims for covered healthcare services be paid within specified timeframes: forty calendar days for written claims and thirty calendar days for electronic claims. It also requires healthcare entities to notify relevant parties within thirty calendar days of any claim denials. Interest will accrue on unpaid claims at a rate of twelve percent per annum. The act takes effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
846: 5-37-5.1, 27-18-61, 27-19-52, 27-20-47, 27-41-64