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Municipal EMS Chiefs, Ambulance Providers Back Bill to Block Surprise Ambulance Bills
Summary
Fire chiefs, municipal EMS leaders and ambulance associations told the committee that House Bill 12‑61 and Senate Bill 7‑99 would protect patients from surprise bills after 911 transports and help stabilize municipal and nonprofit EMS finances by requiring insurers to pay providers directly and to honor municipally‑set rates.
Municipal chiefs, nonprofit ambulance operators and Boston Emergency Medical Services officials urged the Joint Committee on Financial Services to advance House Bill 12‑61 and Senate Bill 7‑99, legislation designed to limit surprise bills for emergency ambulance service and ensure more direct, predictable payment flows to providers.
Chiefs from small‑town services described instances where patients received large balance bills because insurers paid the patient rather than the municipal provider or reimbursed an insufficient amount. “We didn't get in the ambulance business thinking we'd make money off insurance companies,” Chief Kelleher of Foxborough said, adding…
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