Prohibits healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would prevent doctors, hospitals, and health insurance plans from refusing to pay or process a medical bill just because the injury or illness might have been caused by someone else — such as in a car accident, slip-and-fall, or workplace injury. Currently, some healthcare providers and insurers deny or delay payment on medical claims when they suspect a third party (like another driver's auto insurance or a business's liability insurance) might ultimately be responsible for covering those costs.

Under this bill, your health insurance or healthcare provider would still have to process and pay your medical bills in the normal way, even if your injury happened in a situation where another party could be held liable. This means patients wouldn't be left waiting for their medical bills to be paid while legal disputes or insurance negotiations are being sorted out. The bill does not prevent insurers from later seeking reimbursement from a responsible third party — it simply stops them from using that possibility as a reason to deny payment upfront.

This bill would most directly affect Rhode Island residents who get injured in accidents or situations involving potential legal claims. It would also affect health insurance companies and healthcare providers operating in the state, who would need to adjust how they handle these types of claims. The goal is to ensure that patients receive timely medical care and payment without getting caught in the middle of disputes between insurance companies.