Valued Voice

On Feb. 11, the state Senate unanimously approved by voice vote a WHA-backed bill that would clarify the ability for Wisconsin hospitals and other health care providers to offer prompt-pay discounts to patients on out-of-pocket expenses for scheduled medical care.

Assembly Bill 819/Senate Bill 822 will help save money for both patients and providers as health insurance companies continue to shift more of their financial responsibilities to others through higher co-payments, deductibles and other cost-sharing expenses.

Yesterday’s action by the Senate follows a flurry of legislative action on the prompt pay discount bill, which is authored by Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie), Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Fox Crossing) and a bipartisan group of legislators.

As reported in a The Valued Voice article on Feb. 5, two legislative committees unanimously approved the bill last week after WHA and UW Health testified in support of the legislation before both panels in January. If the bill passes the state Assembly, as expected, it will then go to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Contact WHA Vice President of Medicaid and Payer Reimbursement Christian Moran with any questions.