AB 1312: Hospital pricing.

This bill requires hospitals to screen patients for eligibility in charity care and discount payment programs. Patients must be enrolled in certain government programs or meet specific criteria, such as being uninsured, to be eligible for screening. Hospitals are not allowed to require patients to apply for other coverage before screening. Patients have the option to opt out of the screening process. Hospitals are authorized to use third-party software tools or services to conduct screenings. Patients will receive a written notice if they are determined to be eligible for charity care or discount payment programs. Billing statements will not be sent before the written notice is provided. The written notice will include the adjusted hospital charges under the charity care or discount payment policy.