Maryland Health - General Section 19-350

      (a)      (1)      This section applies only to:

                  (i)      Related institutions as defined in § 19-301(o) of this subtitle; and

                  (ii)      Hospitals as defined in § 19-301(g) of this subtitle.

            (2)      Nothing in this section shall apply to charges for services that are set pursuant to § 16-201 of this article.

      (b)      (1)      Within 30 days after discharge of an individual from a hospital, the hospital shall give the individual a summary financial statement that clearly describes:

                  (i)      The total charges incurred;

                  (ii)      If readily ascertainable, a summary of the total charges under the major services categories, including:

                        1.      Room and board;

                        2.      Diagnostic services;

                        3.      Therapeutic services;

                        4.      Emergency room services;

                        5.      Drugs and IV solutions; and

                        6.      Miscellaneous other supplies and services;

                  (iii)      If applicable, the name of the primary and secondary insurer to which a claim has been or will be filed on the individual's behalf;

                  (iv)      That charges for services provided by a physician are not included in the total hospital charges and are billed separately; and

                  (v)      The individual's right to request an itemized statement of the account within 1 year of receipt of the summary statement.

            (2)      Within 30 days after an individual's request as provided under paragraph (1)(v) of this subsection, the hospital shall provide the individual a statement of the account that:

                  (i)      Is itemized; and

                  (ii)      Describes briefly but clearly each item and the amount charged for it.

      (c)      (1)      Unless a related institution contracts with its residents to provide care for an all-inclusive preestablished fee, on demand made within 90 days after service is provided to a resident, the related institution shall give the resident or representative of the resident a financial statement that:

                  (i)      Is itemized;

                  (ii)      Describes briefly but clearly each item and the amount charged for it; and

                  (iii)      Identifies the payor to whom a claim has been forwarded.

            (2)      A related institution may not be required to give a resident more than 1 itemized statement in any 90-day period.

      (d)      (1)      On demand made within 30 days after payment of any charge for an individual, a hospital or related institution shall give the individual or representative of the individual a financial statement that:

                  (i)      Is itemized; and

                  (ii)      Describes briefly but clearly each item and the amount charged for it.

            (2)      A hospital or related institution is subject to a fine of $300 if it fails to:

                  (i)      Comply with this subsection; or

                  (ii)      Give the individual or representative a reasonable written explanation for any delay in complying with this subsection.

      (e)      A hospital or related institution may not demand or accept final payment or recover for money unless the hospital or related institution has given the financial statements required under this section.