Bill > H1085

This bill aims to address the reimbursement of ambulance services provided to insured individuals. The key provisions are: 1. Insurers must directly and promptly pay ambulance service providers (ASPs) for emergency ambulance services rendered to their insured, even if the ASP is not contracted with the insurer, as long as the insured assigns their benefits to the ASP. 2. Reimbursement rates for ASPs will be based on the municipally established ambulance rates, which municipalities must report annually to the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA). 3. Municipalities cannot increase their ambulance rates by more than the current Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark set by the Health Policy Commission, unless approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 4. ASPs receiving payment under this bill are deemed to have been paid in full, and cannot further bill the insured except for any applicable cost-sharing. 5. The bill establishes an Ambulance Service Advisory Council to advise the Secretary on requests for ambulance rate increases above the Benchmark. The overall goal is to ensure prompt and fair reimbursement of emergency ambulance services, while providing oversight and cost control mechanisms.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1085