A medical debt collection bill has advanced out of committee in the Oklahoma legislature and will now head to the full state house for its consideration. The bill would require healthcare providers or third-party debt collectors to include an itemized list of the charges when filing a collection lawsuit, among other requirements.
The Oklahoma House Judiciary Committee approved the bill last week.
If enacted, HB 4148 would also require creditors or third-party debt collectors to file with the court evidence that establishes the amount and nature of the medical debt, including the original account number, the original creditor, the amount due when the balance was charged off, an itemization of post-charge off additions, the date of the last payment or the date of the last transaction, and proof that the creditor or collector complied with the state Transparency in Health Care Prices Act — before a default judgment can be awarded. That law requires healthcare providers to post the cash prices for the top 20 services offered by that provider.
“This is one way that we can help the person incurring the debt to have a small bit of protection if it is taken to the judgment level,” said Rep. Suzanne Schreiber [D-Tulsa], in a statement. Rep. Schreiber introduced the bill with Rep. Mark Lepak [R-Claremore]. A companion bill has been introduced in the state Senate by Sen. Julie Daniels [R-Bartlesville].
In most counties in Oklahoma, proof of the debt is not required for a judge to award a default judgment to a creditor or collector, according to a published report.
The bill was approved unanimously by the state House Judiciary Committee 10-0.
