Indiana General Assembly passed State Rep. Brad Barrett’s (R-Richmond) legislation that he said will reduce health care costs, improve transparency and empower patients across Indiana. With recent amendments, Barrett said the legislation now includes stronger patient protections and expanded oversight measures.
A key provision of House Enrolled Act 1003 strengthens site of service billing standards for the state’s largest nonprofit hospitals, protecting patients from unnecessary facility fees.
“This bill is about putting Hoosier patients first by making sure they are informed, protected and treated fairly,” Barrett said in a news release. “By increasing transparency, preventing surprise billing and holding providers accountable, we are working to reduce health care costs and empower patients. These reforms reflect real concerns we’ve heard from Hoosiers, and I’m glad we are making progress to improve our health care system.”
The bill also enhances price transparency, requiring labs and diagnostic imaging centers to publicly post service prices. Patients will be provided with itemized bills and clear service codes, giving them tools to compare costs and make more informed decisions, the release said.
To help Hoosiers understand their financial obligations, HEA 1003 requires good-faith estimates for health care services to be provided at least two business days before the health care services are scheduled to be provided.
The legislation prohibits insurers from denying a claim for reimbursement on the basis that the referring provider is an out-of-network direct primary care provider or independent physician.
To fight Medicaid fraud, the bill strengthens the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s authority to investigate provider, insurer and billing fraud. Indiana’s attorney general will now enter into data-sharing agreements with state agencies to improve fraud prevention. MFCU investigators are designated as law enforcement officers under the bill for stronger enforcement capabilities.
Barrett said the legislation also reinforces Indiana’s Right to Try law, expanding access to investigational treatments for patients with life-threatening conditions, and aims to increase transparency in accessing medical records.
HEA 1003 passed the House and Senate and now heads to Gov. Mike Braun for consideration as a new law.
More information about the bill is available online.
Governor signs nursing shortage bill
In addition, Barrett sponsored a Senate bill to address concerns about future nursing shortages that Braun signed April 10.
Indiana is projected to have a shortage of nearly 10,000 licensed practical nurses by 2037. Senate Bill 176 allows high school students to enroll in state-accredited nursing programs.
Barrett said this step could help students save money on college-level courses that would count toward a future degree, get experience in a professional environment sooner and create more opportunity for higher educational attainment, such as training to be a registered nurse.
Several Ivy Tech campuses offer nursing programs to earn an associate of science in nursing degree or enroll in a transition to nursing program. Others have a practical nursing technical certificate program.
Barrett said the bill also adds two new members to the State Board of Nursing, broadening the representation and ensuring the board is equipped to address evolving challenges in nursing.
A version of this article appeared in the May 7 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.