Florida Patient Billing Rights & Protections

Protection

Surprise Billing Protections

HB 221 (Surprise Billing) — Florida's HB 221 (2016, updated 2020) protects patients from surprise balance billing for emergency services and non-emergency services by out-of-network providers at in-network facilities.

Florida was an early adopter of surprise billing protections for emergency services.
Patients who receive emergency care at an out-of-network facility are protected from balance billing — they pay only their in-network cost-sharing amount.
For non-emergency services, Florida's protections are more limited — patients should verify network status before procedures.
The federal No Surprises Act (2022) provides additional protections for non-emergency out-of-network services at in-network facilities.
Florida law requires health plans to pay a reasonable amount for out-of-network emergency services.

What this means for you

If you receive a surprise out-of-network bill, you are not responsible for the balance beyond what you'd pay for in-network care. Contact your insurer and reference the HB 221 (Surprise Billing) to dispute any balance bill.

Review your bill →

Assistance

Financial Assistance & Charity Care

Under Federal 501(r) & Florida Statutes, hospitals in Florida must provide financial assistance to qualifying patients.

Nonprofit hospitals must comply with federal 501(r) rules: establish financial assistance policies, publicize them, and limit charges for eligible patients.
Florida does not have a state-mandated charity care income threshold — hospitals set their own criteria.
Many Florida hospitals offer financial assistance for patients at 200-400% FPL.
Hospitals must notify patients about financial assistance before pursuing collections.
For-profit hospitals in Florida are not required to provide charity care but many offer self-pay discounts.

How to apply

Ask the hospital's billing department for a financial assistance application.
Gather proof of income (pay stubs, tax return, benefit letters).
Submit the application — you can often do this even after receiving a bill.
If denied, appeal the decision and contact your state insurance department.

Know Your Rights

Additional Patient Rights in Florida

Beyond surprise billing and financial assistance, Florida law provides these important protections.

Right to an Estimate

Florida patients can request a good faith estimate from hospitals before non-emergency services. Hospitals must provide estimates for shoppable services.