S 2688Rights & Warranties

Businesses and Professions - Patient Payment Information

Healthcare providers cannot require patients to keep payment cards on file to get an appointment, though voluntary storage is allowed.

Held for study

Population
Affected

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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee Senate Health & Human Services

Plain-English Summary

This legislation prohibits healthcare providers from requiring patients to keep a credit card, debit card, or bank account information on file as a condition for receiving medical services or scheduling an appointment. If a provider mandates this information as a prerequisite for care, it constitutes an unfair trade practice. The bill clarifies that patients remain responsible for paying for services and may voluntarily agree to store their payment information if they choose to do so.

For younger readers

When you go to the doctor, your parents have to pay for the visit. Sometimes, doctors want to save a credit card number in their computer so they can take the money later automatically. This new rule says that doctors cannot force your parents to save their card number if they don't want to. The doctor still has to see you even if there is no card saved on the computer. Your parents still have to pay for the doctor visit, but they can choose how they want to pay.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Healthcare providersPatientsMedical billing companiesInsurance companiesSmall business owners (medical practices)

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Protecting low-income and unbanked individuals from being denied access to healthcare services simply because they do not have a credit card or bank account to place on file.
Preventing unexpected automatic withdrawals that could trigger overdraft fees or financial instability for families living paycheck to paycheck.
Reducing barriers to care by ensuring that medical treatment is prioritized over securing a guaranteed method of electronic payment.
Potential for healthcare providers to shift administrative costs to patients or require upfront cash payments, which could still burden low-income individuals.
Risk that small, independent medical practices may face financial strain due to uncollected debts, potentially leading to consolidation by large corporate hospital systems.
Does not address the systemic issue of high deductibles and healthcare costs that drive providers to seek payment security in the first place.

For Conservatives

Enhances consumer privacy by allowing individuals to minimize the amount of sensitive financial data stored in medical office databases, which may be vulnerable to hacking.
Protects the individual's right to control their own finances by preventing businesses from forcing them into automatic payment arrangements.
Ensures that consumers are not coerced into binding financial terms as a prerequisite for essential services, preserving voluntary contract principles.
Interferes with the free market by restricting the ability of private businesses to set their own terms of service and payment policies to ensure they are compensated.
Increases the risk of non-payment for services rendered, which harms the profitability and sustainability of small business owners and medical practices.
Expands government regulation and creates new liabilities for business owners by classifying standard billing practices as "unfair trade practices."

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 12 additions

SECTION 1. Title 5 of the General Laws entitled "BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 5-37.9-1. Patient payment information -- Requiring electronic payment information prohibited.

(a) No healthcare provider, as defined in § 5-37.3-12, shall require a patient to provide bank account information, a credit card number, a debit card number or any other form of electronic payment to be kept on file with the healthcare provider as a prerequisite to seeing the patient for an office visit or providing any healthcare service to the patient.

(b) A violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be considered an unfair trade practice pursuant to chapter 13.1 of title 6 ("deceptive trade practices").

(1) Affect a patient's obligation to pay for healthcare services; or

(2) Prohibit a healthcare provider from requesting, collecting or storing bank, credit or debit card or other payment-related information if the patient agrees to provide such information.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.