South Carolina § 44-7-266 - Uncompensated indigent care requirements; ambulatory surgical facilities.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 44-7-266 — Uncompensated indigent care requirements; ambulatory surgical facilities., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 44-7-266. Uncompensated indigent care requirements; ambulatory surgical facilities.
(A) In order to be licensed by the department, a hospital is prohibited from using economic criteria unrelated to quality of care or professional competency in determining an individual's qualifications for initial or continuing hospital medical staff membership or privileges.
(B) The requirements of this section shall apply to new contracts or renewals of contracts entered into on or after the effective date of this section.
(C) In order to be licensed by the department, any ambulatory surgical facility established or constructed after the effective date of this section and which does not require a Certificate of Need under this chapter, shall provide indigent/charity care in one of the amounts below after it has been in operation for two calendar years:
(1) if the ambulatory surgical facility provides care to Medicaid beneficiaries, it must provide uncompensated indigent/charity care to the underinsured or medically indigent in an amount equal to or greater than two percent of its adjusted gross revenue; or
(2) if the ambulatory surgical facility does not provide care to Medicaid beneficiaries, it must provide uncompensated indigent/charity care to the underinsured or medically indigent in an amount equal to or greater than three percent of its adjusted gross revenue.
(3) For purposes of this section, "medically indigent" is defined as in Section 44-6-5(5).
(4) An ambulatory surgical facility subject to this provision must provide annual reports to the department to demonstrate its compliance. Noncompliance of this provision shall result in a monetary penalty in the amount of the difference between the services which the facility is required to provide and the amount actually provided.
(D) The department shall promulgate regulations within one year of the effective date of this act setting forth the necessary duties to comply with this provision.
HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 20 (S.164), SECTION 9, eff May 16, 2023.
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 44-7-266
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 44-7-266 cover?
Section 44-7-266 ("Uncompensated indigent care requirements; ambulatory surgical facilities.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Carolina § 44-7-266?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 44-7-266" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 44-7-266 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.