Illinois § 10

§ 10.

Definitions. As used in this Act: "Collection action" means any referral of a bill to a collection agency or law firm to collect payment for services from a patient or a patient's guarantor for hospital services. "Health care plan" means a health insurance company, health maintenance organization, preferred provider arrangement, or third party administrator authorized in this State to issue policies or subscriber contracts or administer those policies and contracts that reimburse for inpatient and outpatient services provided in a hospital. Health care plan, however, does not include any government-funded program such as Medicare or Medicaid, workers' compensation, and accident liability insurers. "Insured patient" means a patient who is insured by a health care plan. "Medical debt" means a debt arising from the receipt of health care services, products, or devices. "Patient" means the individual receiving services from the hospital and any individual who is the guarantor of the payment for such services. "Public health insurance program" means Medicare; Medicaid; medical assistance under the Non-Citizen Victims of Trafficking, Torture and Other Serious Crimes program; Health Benefit for Immigrant Adults; Health Benefit for Immigrant Seniors; All Kids; or other medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. "Reasonable payment plan" means a plan to pay a hospital bill that is offered to the patient or the patient's legal representative and takes into account the patient's available income and assets, the amount owed, and any prior payments. "Screen" or "screening" means a process whereby a hospital engages with a patient to review and assess the patient's potential eligibility for any financial assistance offered by the hospital, public health insurance program, or other discounted care known to the hospital; informs the patient of the hospital's assessment; documents in the patient's record the circumstances of the screening; and assists with the application for hospital financial assistance. "Uninsured patient" means a patient who is not insured by a health care plan and is not a beneficiary under a government-funded program, workers' compensation, or accident liability insurance. (Source: P.A. 103-323, eff. 1-1-24.)