HOSPITAL-BILLING & COLLECTION

Creates the Hospital Billing and Collection Practices Act, which applies only to hospitals that receive public moneys. Provides that a hospital may not give a collection agency or attorney blanket authorization to take legal action against the hospital's patients for the collection of medical debt, including by means of garnishment or wage deduction, and requires a hospital to verify certain information before taking such action. Imposes other limitations in connection with a hospital's debt collection practices, including the referral of patients' accounts to a collection agency. Requires a hospital to train collection agencies and attorneys with whom it contracts for the collection of medical debt concerning the hospital's charity care policy. Requires a hospital to adopt and implement policies and procedures to ensure the timely and accurate submission of claims to third party payors. Requires a hospital to adopt a process for patients to question or dispute bills, and requires implementation of a system to record patient complaints received by a hospital's billing office. Contains provisions concerning billing uninsured patients. Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act, the Hospital Licensing Act, and the Code of Civil Procedure to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2006.