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Town official says Senate Bill 245 will set new framework for ambulance billing
Summary
A town official told the selectmen Senate Bill 245 will establish a state-level framework for ambulance billing, standardizing rates and contracts and addressing surprise bills over time.
A town official gave the selectmen an update on expected changes to ambulance billing under state law.
The speaker said Senate Bill 245, which has passed and is becoming law, will create a regulatory framework for ambulance billing and business practices similar to how public utilities are regulated. The official said the law will move rate-setting toward the state level and establish contracts with insurance carriers to reduce surprise bills for residents. The speaker emphasized the change will roll out in multiple stages and “is not cured overnight,” but said it should improve business practices and reduce billing problems over time.
Why it matters: Ambulance billing has been a source of concern among town residents; a statewide framework for rates and insurer contracts could reduce unexpected charges but will take time to implement, the official said.
Quote: "Senate Bill 245 ... will completely revamp, or actually set a framework for, the regulation of the ambulance, building and and business practices. So similar to the way the PUC controls, or regulates public utilities that have monopolies, this is gonna create the same framework so that ambulance companies, are billing appropriately." — Town official (unnamed in transcript)
The board did not take formal action on the update; it was presented as informational.
