An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in emergency medical services system, further providing for receiving facilities and providing for transportation coverage; and abrogating a regulation.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania’s emergency medical services (EMS) system to improve the handling of patients experiencing behavioral health or substance use disorders. It expands the definition of ‘receiving facilities’ to include locations equipped to handle these crises and requires protocols for EMS responders to coordinate with mobile crisis teams before transport. The bill also clarifies reimbursement for ambulance services, ensuring coverage for emergency treatment and transport to appropriate facilities, including receiving facilities and treatment centers.
Key provisions
- Expands the definition of ‘receiving facilities’ to include locations equipped to handle behavioral health and substance use disorder crises.
- Requires EMS protocols for contacting mobile crisis teams before transporting patients with suspected behavioral health or substance use disorders.
- Clarifies ambulance transportation coverage to include transport to receiving facilities, home, detoxification/rehabilitation facilities, and nearest facility.
- Establishes a payment amount for emergency services provided during ambulance transports.
- Defines ‘Emergency services payment amount’ and ‘Medical assistance ambulance fee schedule’.
- Abrogates a regulation regarding covered services (55 Pa. Code § 1245.11).
Who is affected
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers
- Hospitals
- Patients requiring emergency medical care
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 1863 Html
- Published
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Sponsors
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6 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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