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Panel backs bill to curb ambulance surprise billing, sets default payment at up to 425% of Medicare
Summary
The committee approved House Bill 10,61 to eliminate surprise billing for emergency ambulance services, with a proposed default reimbursement of the lesser of billed charge or 425% of Medicare when no local rate exists; members raised network adequacy and cost‑shift concerns.
Lawmakers on the Insurance Committee voted to advance House Bill 10,61, a measure intended to protect patients from surprise bills for emergency ambulance services and to require oversight and fair, prompt reimbursement for providers.
Sponsor said the bill would prohibit surprise billing and provide enforcement authority to the Department of Commerce and Insurance. On payment, the sponsor proposed that if no local rate exists, payment would default to the lesser of the billed amount or 425% of the Medicare rate. Several members pressed the sponsor on how local rates would be identified and published and whether insurers could place ambulance services out of network to lower rates; the sponsor pointed to regulatory remedies and said a blatant exit by ambulance providers would draw legislative attention. The clerk reported the vote as 15 ayes, no nays, and two present not voting; the bill moves to Calendar and Rules.
