Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025

Protection from Medical Debt: Under Section 2 (amending Section 222(a) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act), patients who receive purchased/referred care are explicitly protected from liability for any charges or costs associated with their care, regardless of any agreement, form, or document they signed. This is a clear win for everyday people because it shields them from unfair medical bills and aggressive debt collectors.

Timely Notice of Rights: Section 2 (amending Section 222(b)) requires the Secretary to notify both the care provider and the patient that the patient is not liable for any costs not later than 5 business days after receiving a provider's claim notification. This ensures people are quickly informed and not left in the dark about their financial protections.

Out-of-Pocket Reimbursements: Section 2 (adding Section 222(d)) directs the Secretary to establish procedures allowing patients who paid out-of-pocket for authorized purchased/referred care to be reimbursed by the Service within 30 days of submitting documentation. This helps folks get their hard-earned money back when they should not have been charged in the first place.

Flexible Document Submission: Also under Section 2 (adding Section 222(d)(1)(B)), patients can submit their reimbursement documentation either electronically or in-person at a Service facility, making the process much more convenient for everyday individuals seeking their money.