NRS439B.260. Reduction of billed charges for certain patients and services; notice; resolution of disputes.

      1.  A major hospital shall reduce or discount the total billed charge by at least 30 percent for hospital services provided to an inpatient who:

      (a) Has no policy of health insurance or other contractual agreement with a third party that provides health coverage for the charge;

      (b) Is not eligible for coverage by a state or federal program of public assistance that would provide for the payment of the charge; and

      (c) Makes reasonable arrangements within 30 days after the date that notice was sent pursuant to subsection 2 to pay the hospital bill.

      2.  A major hospital shall include on or with the first statement of the hospital bill provided to the patient after his or her discharge a notice of the reduction or discount available pursuant to this section, including, without limitation, notice of the criteria a patient must satisfy to qualify for a reduction or discount.

      3.  A major hospital or patient who disputes the reasonableness of arrangements made pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1 may submit the dispute to the Bureau for Hospital Patients for resolution as provided in NRS 223.575.

      4.  A major hospital shall reduce or discount the total billed charge of its outpatient pharmacy by at least 30 percent to a patient who is eligible for Medicare.

      5.  As used in this section, “third party” means:

      (a) An insurer, as that term is defined in NRS 679B.540;

      (b) A health benefit plan, as that term is defined in NRS 689A.540, for employees which provides coverage for services and care at a hospital;

      (c) A participating public agency, as that term is defined in NRS 287.04052, and any other local governmental agency of the State of Nevada which provides a system of health insurance for the benefit of its officers and employees, and the dependents of officers and employees, pursuant to chapter 287 of NRS; or

      (d) Any other insurer or organization providing health coverage or benefits in accordance with state or federal law.

Ê The term does not include an insurer that provides coverage under a policy of casualty or property insurance.

      (Added to NRS by 1991, 2332; A 1995, 646, 2248; 2001, 2654; 2011, 1523)