Commercial Law - Consumer Protections - Health Care Financing

SB 796 establishes new consumer protections for health care financing in Maryland by restricting how health care providers handle third-party financing (like credit cards or loans for treatment costs). It prohibits providers from applying for financing on a patient’s behalf, promoting financing to patients under anesthesia or during active treatment, or billing financiers more than 30 days before a procedure. Providers must give patients a written treatment plan and specific disclosures before discussing financing, and must issue full refunds within 15 days if treatment isn’t provided. The law applies to licensed health care providers (excluding hospitals) and aims to prevent deceptive practices while allowing financing for insurance copays or deductibles.