Subcommittee advances bill requiring good‑faith cost estimates for nonemergency care after line amendments
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Summary
The House subcommittee reported HB1276 with a substitute after adopting line amendments that narrow provider duties to giving a reasonable estimate of nonemergency service costs; hospitals supported the change while small practices and EMS urged carve‑outs to avoid added administrative burdens.
The subcommittee voted to report HB1276 with a substitute after adopting line amendments that direct providers to give patients a reasonable estimate of costs for nonemergency, discretionary services rather than act as de facto insurance agents. Delegate Watts, the patron, told members the amendments remove language that would have required providers to determine deductibles or guarantee payment amounts and instead focus on an estimate a patient "may be reasonably expected to receive."
Why it matters: Supporters said the amendments balance transparency and practicality. Brent Rawlings of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association said hospitals want to provide meaningful cost information but cannot be expected to guarantee final insurer payments or spend hours calling carriers. Mike Forehand of ANOVA also thanked the patron for working on technical fixes that limit administrative burden.
Opponents warned the rule could impose steep costs on smaller providers. Scott Castro of the Medical Society of Virginia said small and medium practices lack the staff to make carrier calls to determine patients' deductible status and that the requirement could force hiring of additional billing staff. Chris DeWoz of American Medical Response, who identified himself as a nationally registered paramedic, asked the committee to exclude emergency and unscheduled ground ambulance services from the bill’s scope, arguing those services are not shoppable.
Outcome and next steps: After debate and public testimony in the room and online, the subcommittee voted to report the bill with a substitute by roll call, 8–1. The substitute reflects the approved line amendments that narrow provider obligations and emphasize estimates based on information reasonably available when the estimate is prepared.
Who spoke: Delegate Watts (patron), Brent Rawlings (Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association), Mike Forehand (ANOVA), Scott Castro (Medical Society of Virginia), and Chris DeWoz (American Medical Response).