Every hospital licensed pursuant to the provisions of NRS 449.029 to 449.2428, inclusive:

1. May, except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, utilize the Uniform Billing and Claims Forms established by the American Hospital Association.

2. Shall, except as otherwise provided in this section, on its billings to patients, itemize, on a daily basis, all charges for services, and charges for equipment used and the supplies and medicines provided incident to the provision of those services with specificity and in language that is understandable to an ordinary lay person. This itemized list must be timely provided after the patient is discharged at no additional cost.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if a patient is charged a rate, pursuant to a contract or other agreement, that is different than the billed charges, shall provide to the patient either:

(a) A copy of the billing prepared pursuant to subsection 2;

(b) A statement specifying the agreed rate for the services; or

(c) If the patient is not obligated to pay any portion of the bill, a statement of the total charges.

In any case, the hospital shall include on the billing or statement any copayment or deductible for which the patient is responsible. The hospital shall answer any questions regarding the bill.

4. If the hospital is paid by the insurer of a patient a rate that is based on the number of persons treated and not on the services actually rendered, shall, upon the discharge of the patient, advise the patient of the status of any copayment or deductible for which the patient is responsible.

5. Shall prepare a summary of charges for common services for patients admitted to the hospital and make it available to the public.

6. Shall provide to any patient upon request a copy of the billing prepared pursuant to subsection 2.

(Added to NRS by 1975, 897; A 1983, 649; 1985, 905; 1993, 2427; 1995, 1856)