Utah House amends medical‑billing bill to require providers to send initial bill within 120 days, passes measure

The Utah House of Representatives on Jan. 30 passed a first substitute for House Bill 116, a measure aimed at speeding notice to patients about medical debts by requiring providers to send an initial bill within a defined billing period. The chamber adopted an amendment that replaced a 90‑day deadline with 120 days and approved the substitute on a recorded vote.

Sponsor Representative Winder told colleagues the substitute was designed to start the billing process sooner and to clarify when a provider’s billing period begins. Winder said the bill ‘‘defines the billing period as from the day of completion’’ and explained provisions for complex or bundled services so billing would not begin until the service is completed.

Representative Thurston, who moved the amendment replacing ‘‘90’’ with ‘‘120,’’ acknowledged discomfort with the policy but argued the longer window was more functional for complex billing, saying, ‘‘So in concept, if you owe somebody money, you owe them money,’’ and adding that larger, expensive cases often require more time for accurate billing and processing. Thurston said billing entities he consulted told him 90 days was too tight and that 120 days would make the policy workable for high‑dollar or multi‑payer cases.

Supporters said the change balances consumer protection with industry realities. Representative Ward argued patients often lack a single, knowledgeable point person to explain hospital bills and said, ‘‘at a minimum, I need to be told what that debt is in a timely fashion,’’ urging support for the bill. Opponents raised concern that insurers — not providers — often cause delays and that the bill could penalize providers for insurers’ administrative timing.

The House adopted the amendment and later passed the first substitute for HB 116 on a recorded vote (48 yes, 24 no). The bill was approved on the House floor and will be transmitted as the House process requires.