AN ACT CONCERNING WITHHOLDING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WHO REQUIRE MANDATORY ARBITRATION IN BILLING DISPUTES.

SB 1479 prohibits healthcare providers from requiring patients to agree to mandatory arbitration for billing disputes as a condition for receiving Medicaid reimbursement. Starting October 1, 2025, providers who include such clauses in patient agreements will lose eligibility for Medicaid payments on services provided to Medicaid recipients. The bill defines "mandatory arbitration clause" as a term forcing patients to use arbitration for billing conflicts. This directly affects healthcare providers seeking Medicaid reimbursement, ensuring patients can resolve billing issues through standard legal channels instead of mandatory arbitration.