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FloridaHB 5472025House

Medical Debt

Sponsored By: Bill Partington (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationHealth Care Facilities & Systems SubcommitteeInsurance & Banking SubcommitteeHealth & Human Services CommitteeRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Broader collection protections for Florida patients

Beginning July 1, 2025, Florida's licensed medical facilities must apply collection safeguards to more bills, including care outside their financial-aid policies. Covered actions include debt sales, negative credit reporting, lawsuits, liens, foreclosure, property seizures, arrest, and taking wages. The safeguards also cover delaying, denying, or requiring upfront payment for medically necessary care because of unpaid bills for earlier care under the facility's financial-aid policy. Before using these actions, facilities must make reasonable efforts to check financial-aid eligibility and decide eligible patients' applications. They must also provide an itemized bill, bill the applicable insurer, and let it decide the claim. These actions cannot proceed during a billing grievance, claim appeal, good-faith negotiation over the final bill, or compliance with a payment plan. Facilities generally must also wait 30 days after sending written notice by certified mail or another traceable delivery method.

Earlier medical debt sales with safeguards

Beginning July 1, 2025, licensed Florida medical facilities can skip the 30-day waiting period for debt sales under protective contracts. The facility's contract must bar interest, fees, and other extraordinary collection actions by the buyer. These include actions such as lawsuits, wage garnishment, and negative credit reporting. The buyer must return the debt if it determines the patient qualifies for the facility's financial aid. This exception removes only the waiting period, not the other collection safeguards.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bill Partington

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 154 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 116 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-98

    5/28/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    5/27/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    5/23/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/23/2025House

  5. In Messages

    4/23/2025House

  6. CS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0 -SJ 481

    4/23/2025Senate

  7. Read 3rd time -SJ 481

    4/23/2025Senate

  8. Read 2nd time -SJ 481

    4/23/2025Senate

  9. Substituted for CS/CS/SB 656 -SJ 481

    4/23/2025Senate

  10. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    4/23/2025Senate

  11. Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 481

    4/23/2025Senate

  12. Received

    4/22/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules

    4/16/2025Senate

  14. In Messages

    4/16/2025Senate

  15. CS passed as amended; YEAS 116, NAYS 0

    4/16/2025House

  16. Read 3rd time

    4/16/2025House

  17. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/16/2025House

  18. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/16/2025House

  19. Amendment 111771 adopted

    4/16/2025House

  20. Read 2nd time

    4/16/2025House

  21. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/16/2025)

    4/10/2025House

  22. Added to Second Reading Calendar

    4/7/2025House

  23. Bill released to House Calendar

    4/7/2025House

  24. Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee

    4/7/2025House

  25. Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee

    4/7/2025House

Bill Text

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