HB 355 -- Health Care Liens

Sponsor:  Dempsey

This bill changes the laws regarding health care liens.
Currently, hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers
whose services have been authorized in advance by the employer or
insurer can give notice to the Division of Workers' Compensation
in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for services
provided for a work-related injury.  The bill removes the
requirement that the services must be authorized in advance by
the employer or insurer.  Currently, the insurance carrier is
allowed to pay the amount due secured by the health care
provider's lien directly to the provider if the claimant
authorizes it, does not challenge the amount of customary
charges, and the health care provider releases the claimant from
further liability on the cost of the services and treatment
provided.  These conditions are removed, and the insurance
carrier is required to pay the amount due secured by the health
care provider's lien directly to the health care provider.

The bill also allows hospitals and clinics to have a lien on any
person entitled to bring a wrongful death action.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:18 pm