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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 10.37.13.02" title_num="10" subtitle_num="37" chapter_num="13" heading="Electronic Delivery of Written Communications.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A patient may opt out of receiving written communications required by Regulations .03—.08 of this chapter through electronic delivery methods, such as through email or a patient portal.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A hospital or debt collector who communicates with a patient electronically must include in such communication, or attempt to communicate, a clear and conspicuous statement describing a reasonable and simple method by which the patient can opt out of further electronic communications by the hospital or debt collector.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A hospital or debt collector may not require, directly or indirectly, that the patient, in order to opt out of electronic communication, pay any fee or provide any information other than:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The patient’s opt out preferences; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The email address, telephone number for text messages, or other electronic-medium address subject to the opt-out request.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If a hospital or debt collector receives notice from a patient that the patient is opting out of receiving written communications through electronic delivery methods, the hospital or the debt collector:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>May not provide the written communications required by Regulations .03—.08 of this chapter through electronic delivery methods; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Shall deliver the written communications through non-electronic delivery methods.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Notice of Patient Opting Out of Written Communications.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a hospital receives notice from a patient that the patient is opting out of receiving written communications through electronic delivery methods, and the hospital uses a debt collector with respect to that patient, the hospital shall immediately inform the debt collector that the patient is opting out of electronic delivery methods.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a debt collector receives notice from a patient that the patient is opting out of receiving written communications through electronic delivery methods, the debt collector shall immediately inform the hospital that controls that patient account that the patient is opting out of electronic delivery methods.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>