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Council introduces Bill 1-25 to let EMS request insurance info for treatment‑in‑place and alternative transport
Summary
Council introduced Bill 1‑25 on Jan. 21 at the request of the county executive to amend the Emergency Medical Services Insurance Reimbursement Program and allow fire and rescue personnel to request limited insurance information to provide treatment in place or transport to alternative destinations; public hearing set for Feb. 11, 2025.
The Montgomery County Council introduced Bill 1‑25, “Public Safety — Emergency Medical Services — Insurance Reimbursement Amendments,” at the request of County Executive Mark Elrich. A public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Legislative attorney Jim Ogorzelek summarized the proposal, saying it would amend the county’s Emergency Medical Services Insurance Reimbursement Program to allow fire and rescue personnel to request limited insurance information when responding to 911 calls for the narrow purposes of providing treatment in place or transporting a patient to an alternative destination (for example, urgent care centers). The amendment is intended to expand use of treatment‑in‑place protocols and broaden alternative transport options beyond entities currently covered by agreements (the transcript mentioned an existing agreement with Holy Cross Express Care and limitations with HMOs such as Kaiser Permanente).
Council Member Lukey asked to be added as a cosponsor and said the change aligns with recommendations from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), per the transcript. The introduction does not represent final enactment; the public hearing and subsequent committee consideration will be the next steps before any vote.
No vote was taken at introduction beyond the formal step of introducing the bill and scheduling a public hearing.
