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Senate panel reaches compromise language to prohibit balance billing, sets temporary EMS rate at 325% of Medicare
Summary
Senate Health and Human Services members agreed on compromise language for House Bill 316 to ban balance billing and stabilize emergency medical services with a temporary in‑network rate of 325% of Medicare for two years. The bill will be brought back as a floor amendment and work remains on contracting timelines and a follow-up cost study.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee agreed on compromise language related to House Bill 316 that would prohibit balance billing and establish a temporary in‑network rate for ambulance services set at 325% of Medicare for a two‑year period, senators said during the committee meeting.
The compromise — described by Senator Susan Prentiss as the product of negotiations with the House, the Department of Insurance and ambulance stakeholders — would ban balance billing, set a temporary rate that sunsets in two years and create a commission to review long‑term system and rate issues. “We are committed to prohibiting balance billing. We are committed to stabilizing the EMS system,” Senator Prentiss said.
Why it matters: Committee members said the measures are intended to protect consumers from surprise bills while preventing further erosion of ambulance coverage in parts of the…
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