Bill > HB1187

This bill aims to protect patients involved in motor vehicle accidents from delayed ambulance bills by adding new provisions to Washington state law. Specifically, it prevents ambulance services from selling or assigning medical debt related to these accidents to debt collectors, who are licensed under chapter 19.16 RCW, until at least 120 days after the initial billing statement is sent to the patient and any other responsible party. A "motor vehicle accident" is broadly defined to include incidents where pedestrians or bicyclists are injured by a vehicle, and an "initial billing statement" is the first bill sent after care is provided, which can be mailed or electronic. An "other responsible party" is anyone legally obligated to pay the medical bills besides the patient. Furthermore, if an ambulance service repeatedly violates these rules, the commissioner, likely referring to the Insurance Commissioner, can report the issue to the Department of Health, which has the authority to impose fines or take other disciplinary actions against the ambulance service.