§ 12-3009.1. Personal injury suits – Medical bills - Evidence.

A.  Upon the trial of any civil case involving personal injury, the actual amounts paid for any doctor bills, hospital bills, ambulance service bills, drug bills and similar bills for expenses incurred in the treatment of the party shall be the amounts admissible at trial, not the amounts billed for expenses incurred in the treatment of the party. If, in addition to evidence of payment, a signed statement acknowledged by the medical provider or an authorized representative that the provider in consideration of the patient’s efforts to collect the funds to pay the provider, will accept the amount paid as full payment of the obligations is also admitted.  The statement shall be part of the record as an exhibit but need not be shown to the jury.  Provided, if a medical provider has filed a lien in the case for an amount in excess of the amount paid, then bills in excess of the amount paid but not more than the amount of the lien shall be admissible.  If no payment has been made, the Medicare reimbursement rates in effect when the personal injury occurred shall be admissible if, in addition to evidence of nonpayment, a signed statement acknowledged by the medical provider or an authorized representative that the provider, in consideration of the patient’s efforts to collect the funds to pay the provider, will accept payment at the Medicare reimbursement rate less cost of recovery as provided in Medicare regulations as full payment of the obligation is also admitted.  The statement shall be part of the record as an exhibit but need not be shown to the jury.  Provided, if a medical provider has filed a lien in the case for an amount in excess of the Medicare rate, then bills in excess of the amount of the Medicare rate but not more than the amount of the lien shall be admissible.

B.  This section shall apply to civil cases involving personal injury filed on or after November 1, 2011.

Added by Laws 2011, c. 198, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2011.