Senate approves bill to curb surprise ground ambulance bills; sets effective date for 2026
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Summary
Lawmakers passed a measure to limit surprise billing by out‑of‑network ground ambulance services, require insurers to pay agencies directly within 30 days on clean claims, and exempt Medicaid and PEIA from the bill's protections.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on March 29 passed a bill designed to reduce surprise billing by ground ambulance providers, requiring insurers to remit payment directly to out‑of‑network ambulance agencies in most circumstances.
The bill requires insurers to pay an out‑of‑network ground ambulance provider within 30 days of receipt of a clean claim and establishes a payment standard for the amount due; it applies to private insurance only and does not change Medicaid or PEIA payment rules, senators said.
Supporters described the measure as preventing ambulance providers from sending surprise bills to patients and as directing insurers to make payments to agencies rather than leaving unpaid balances for the individual. "The purpose of this bill is to prevent surprise billing by emergency medical service agencies for ground ambulance services," said the Senator from Ohio on the floor.
The Senate approved the bill unanimously on recorded vote (34‑0 reported), and later the sponsor moved to make the bill effective Jan. 1, 2026; the Senate voted to set that effective date and the presiding officer declared the bill effective 01/01/2026.