Bill Text: VA HB1226 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Higher educational institutions, public; collection of debts by hospitals affiliated w/institutions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-03-31 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0577) [HB1226 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2020-HB1226-Enrolled.html

VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER
An Act to amend and reenact §§2.2-4806 and 58.1-522 of the Code of Virginia, relating to collection of debts by hospitals affiliated with public institutions of higher education.
[H 1226]
Approved

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§2.2-4806 and 58.1-522 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§2.2-4806. Utilization of certain collection techniques.

A. Each state agency and institution shall take all appropriate and cost-effective actions to aggressively collect its accounts receivable. Each agency and institution shall utilize, but not be limited to, the following collection techniques, according to the policies and procedures required by the Department of Accounts and the Division: (i) credit reporting bureaus, (ii) collection agencies, (iii) garnishments, liens and judgments, (iv) administrative offset, and (v) participation in the Treasury Offset Program of the United States under 31 U.S.C. §3716.

B. Except as provided otherwise herein, for collection of accounts receivable of $3,000 or more that are 60 days past due, each agency and institution shall forward those claims to the Division for collection. The Division shall review forwarded accounts, determine the appropriate collection efforts, if any, for each account, and take such actions on the accounts as the Division may so determine.

C. Except as provided otherwise herein, for collection of accounts receivable under $3,000 that are 60 days past due, each agency and institution shall contract with a private collection agency for the collection of those debts. Prior to referring accounts receivable of less than $3,000, agencies and institutions may refer such accounts to the Division. The Division may accept the account for collection or return it to the agency or institution for collection by a private collection agency.

D. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, where a debtor is paying a debt in periodic payments to an agency or institution, the agency or institution may elect to retain the claim in excess of 60 days provided that such periodic payments are promptly paid until the account is satisfied. In the event the debtor is delinquent (i) by 60 days in paying a periodic payment or (ii) for such other period of time approved by the Division, the account shall be handled in the manner provided by subsections B and C of this section.

E. A public institution of higher education shall provide a debtor who is currently enrolled in such institution the option to pay his debt in periodic payments over the course of the term or semester in which the account became past due or, at the discretion of such institution, over a longer period, provided that such periodic payments are promptly paid until the account is satisfied. In the event that the debtor is delinquent (i) by 60 days in paying a periodic payment or (ii) for such other period of time approved by the Division, the account shall be handled in the manner provided by subsections B and C.

F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or any other law to the contrary, neither the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority (the Authority) nor the University of Virginia Medical Center (the Center) shall engage in extraordinary collection actions, as defined in §501(r) of the Internal Revenue Code as it was in effect on January 1, 2020, to collect patient accounts receivable related to medical treatment at such Authority or Center or its affiliated facilities unless the Authority or Center has undertaken all reasonable efforts to determine whether an individual with delinquent debt is eligible for Medicaid or other assistance under the Authority's or Center's financial assistance policy.

G. Each state agency and institution shall report and pay required fees to the Division as required by subsection C of §2.2-518.

§58.1-522. Participation in setoff program not permitted in certain instances.

A. If the claimant agency determines that the administrative cost, as defined in the rules promulgated by the Tax Commissioner, of utilizing this article will exceed the amount of the delinquent debt, then such claimant agency shall not participate in the setoff program below such levels determined economically infeasible.

B. Neither the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority (the Authority) nor the University of Virginia Medical Center (the Center) shall participate in the setoff program for debts related to medical treatment unless the Authority or Center has undertaken all reasonable efforts to determine whether an individual with delinquent debt is eligible for Medicaid or other assistance under the Authority's or the Center's financial assistance policy.

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