An Act protecting patients from surprise bills related to emergency ambulance service
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to protect patients in Massachusetts from unexpected, high ‘surprise bills’ related to emergency ambulance services. It requires ambulance service providers to receive direct payments from insurance carriers at rates aligned with local municipal rates, ensuring transparency and fairness. The bill also establishes minimum reimbursement rates for ambulance services in the absence of municipal rates and limits cost-sharing for patients.
Key provisions
- Ambulance service providers must receive direct payments from insurance carriers.
- Payment rates must align with local municipal rates established with public input.
- Minimum reimbursement rates are set for areas without municipal rates, referencing CMS rates.
- Cost-sharing for patients is limited to a maximum of $100.
- Municipalities must report their ambulance rates to a designated state center.
- Uninsured patients will not be charged more than the published CMS rate for ambulance services.
- Debt collection practices related to unpaid ambulance bills are restricted.
- Hospitals and nursing homes must share patient information with ambulance providers.
Who is affected
- Patients receiving emergency ambulance services
- Ambulance service providers
- Insurance carriers
- Municipalities
- Healthcare facilities (hospitals and nursing homes)
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
10 on record
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Cosponsors
James K. Hawkins
Jennifer Balinsky Armini
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