NRS629.078. Provider of health care prohibited from acquiring debt based upon services provided to patient; penalty; definitions.

      1.  A provider of health care or a health facility that provides services to a patient who has filed or intends to file a civil claim to recover damages, or a business in which such a provider of health care or health facility holds a financial interest, shall not purchase or acquire a debt or a lien that is based upon services which:

      (a) Are provided to the patient in relation to the same claim for which the provider of health care or health facility provided services to the patient; and

      (b) Are provided to that patient by another provider of health care or health facility.

      2.  A person who violates subsection 1 is guilty of a category E felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than $25,000 for each violation.

      3.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Financial interest” includes, without limitation, any share in the ownership of or profit from a business and any form of compensation from a business relating to a debt or lien based upon services provided by a provider of health care or health facility.

      (b) “Health facility” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 439A.015.

      (Added to NRS by 2013, 711)