MN Attorney General: Hospitals Can’t Bill Sexual Assault Victims For Exams

ST. PAUL - Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson sent a letter to Minnesota hospitals to remind them they aren't allowed to bill sexual assault victims for forensic exams.

Swanson's letter dated Friday also asks the hospitals several questions about billing practices, which her office will use to help get refunds for patients who were wrongly billed.

The letter comes after a study by the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault found that some Minnesota hospitals may be billing patients for sexual assault exams or associated fees.

Swanson says the coalition's findings show there's confusion about the law, which requires counties to cover the cost of these exams.

After the coalition's report, the Minnesota Hospital Association told members to read the study and reminded them of laws on patient billing.