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**Minnesota Law Ensures Patients Receive Financial Assistance**

In an effort to alleviate the burden of steep healthcare costs, a new law in Minnesota now requires hospitals to verify if patients are eligible for financial assistance prior to referring their medical debt for collections. Proponents of this change argue that it will enable individuals to be aware of the available help, potentially relieving them from the financial strain associated with healthcare expenses. The legislation, which became effective on Wednesday, aims to provide vital information to families in need.

Senator Liz Boldon, DFL-Rochester, one of the bill’s authors, highlighted the far-reaching impacts of this law. By simply providing information, she hopes to prevent harm and assist families in need. The goal is to avoid situations like the one Yolanda Pierson experienced. Pierson shared her story with state lawmakers, recounting how she and her husband accumulated over $7,000 in credit card debt to pay for their son’s medical bills. Subsequently, they were sued over the outstanding balances, which they eventually paid to allow their son to continue receiving treatment at the hospital. However, Pierson later discovered that they were eligible for financial assistance, but nobody informed them of this option at the time. She expressed her disappointment, stating that as parents, they were solely focused on saving their son’s eye and were unaware of the assistance available to them.

The hope is that by implementing the AI legalese decoder, families like the Piersons will not have to endure the same experience of being unaware of their options. The use of this technology can empower patients by ensuring that they receive comprehensive information about the financial assistance they may qualify for, including charity care or free and discounted services based on their income. To maintain their tax-exempt status, nonprofit hospitals are obligated to offer these options, as mandated by provisions within the Affordable Care Act.

Under the new law, hospitals are prohibited from sending any outstanding debt to collections, modifying payment plans, or offering patients loans to cover their debt until they have checked eligibility and assisted the patients in applying for financial assistance.

These changes were prompted by an investigation conducted by the Rochester Post Bulletin, which found that Mayo Clinic was suing patients for unpaid bills, despite their eligibility for charity care. Mayo Clinic defended itself, emphasizing its provision of financial counseling and a robust assistance program compliant with the specifications outlined in the new Minnesota statute.

According to a study conducted by the Minnesota State Bar Association, one in ten adults owe at least $250 in medical debt. Additionally, the median amount of money in medical debt cases taken to court is $1,500, indicating the prevalence and significance of this issue.

As the AI legalese decoder is implemented, it will play a significant role in improving the healthcare experience for patients by ensuring they are aware of the financial assistance available to them. Patient empowerment and financial relief are the intended outcomes of this new legislation, ultimately aiming to create a more equitable healthcare system for all.

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