House advances ambulance reimbursement bill after committee amendment on telemedicine and rate publication

The Mississippi House of Representatives took up a committee substitute to House Bill 13-92, a measure to revise how ambulance services are paid for out‑of‑network emergency transports, and adopted an amendment that adds telemedicine coverage and requires insurers to publish recognized ambulance payment rates.

Supporters said the bill responds to problems counties and ambulance providers face collecting payment for emergency transports. The bill’s committee substitute would set a payment standard tied to a percentage of Medicare reimbursement for specific services, while the amendment offered on the floor would specifically: (1) allow telemedicine services provided by ambulance crews to be treated as covered treatment or assessment; (2) require the Mississippi Department of Insurance to publish recognized ambulance payment rates on its website within 10 days of an insurer or local government establishing rates or of a county/municipality/special purpose district adopting an ordinance or regulation; and (3) clarify that ambulance providers may be paid under an assignment of benefits consistent with existing law.

Representative DeWeese, sponsor of Amendment 1 to the committee substitute, told the House the telemedicine language reflects efforts to support rural ambulance providers and to compensate on‑scene telemedicine assessments when paramedics use telehealth to consult clinicians while responding to calls. DeWeese said the publication requirement aims to make negotiations between ambulance companies and payers more transparent by ensuring providers can see a published “recognized” rate. He also said assignment‑of‑benefit language was added to reduce payment disruptions by allowing insurers to pay providers directly when appropriate.

Members asked multiple questions during debate. Representative Felsher asked whether the state’s approach keeps Mississippi ambulance pay in line with other states; DeWeese said the percentage approach remains under review and the bill was intended as a work in progress. Representative Wilts recalled that the House overwhelmingly approved a higher percentage last year and pressed why the committee substitute altered the percentage; DeWeese replied that committee review identified other opportunities to assist ambulance services and that he wanted to continue working toward a rate structure that best fits Mississippi. Representative Clark asked whether the author had consulted ambulance providers; DeWeese said he had discussed the bill with stakeholders and had “listened to all parties.”

Floor action: the House took up Amendment 1 to the committee substitute and adopted it on a voice vote. Sponsors said the bill still contains a reverse‑repealer and that additional drafting and negotiations would continue before finalization.

Why it matters: Counties and local governments often subsidize ambulance services when insurer payments and patient self‑pay do not cover costs. Provisions requiring publication of recognized rates and clarifying payment paths (including assignment of benefits and telemedicine coverage) were presented by the bill’s supporters as measures to reduce surprise shortfalls and improve payment certainty for providers, particularly in rural areas.

Next steps: Sponsors signaled they will keep working with insurers, ambulance providers, and counties on the percentage and technical language. The bill was returned to the calendar for further consideration under procedural rules; sponsors said additional amendments are possible before final enactment.