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Subcommittee backs bill to end surprise ambulance billing
Summary
The subcommittee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 10-61, which would prohibit surprise/balance billing for emergency ambulance services, require prompt reimbursement and give the Department of Commerce and Insurance enforcement authority.
Chairman Vital explained House Bill 10-61 as a comprehensive patient-protection bill that would end balance billing by emergency ambulance providers for nine-one-one transports and provide oversight and prompt reimbursement through the Department of Commerce and Insurance.
Vital said emergency ambulance services are required by law to respond to 911 calls regardless of ability to pay and that nearly 60% of ambulance transports are out-of-network. "This bill is a comprehensive patient protection bill, it ends balance billing," the sponsor said, describing balance billing as providers billing the patient for the difference between the provider's charge and the insurance payment. The committee adopted an amendment and voted 7–0 to send HB 10-61 to full Insurance.
