Bill > HB1187

This bill aims to protect patients involved in motor vehicle accidents from delayed ambulance bills by adding new provisions to existing 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, such as an insurance company or a party at fault. 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 clarified as the first bill sent after care is provided. Furthermore, the bill empowers the commissioner, likely referring to the Insurance Commissioner, to investigate ambulance services for repeated violations of these new rules and, if necessary, refer the matter to the Department of Health for potential fines or other disciplinary actions. The Department of Health will then inform the commissioner of the outcome of their review.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1187&Year=2025&Initiative=false