A bill has been introduced in the Alabama Legislature that would prohibit surprise billing for ambulance services. Sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, the bill aims to compel health insurance companies to expand coverage for ambulance services by setting minimum reimbursement rates for out-of-network providers. The bill, known as House Bill 469, would require insurance providers to pay either the entire bill or 325% of the Medicare rate, whichever is less. Patients would not be billed for any additional fees beyond standard in-network cost-sharing fees.
The bill is particularly important for rural communities in Alabama, where limited availability of ambulance services can result in high costs for non-Medicare patients. Another bill, House Bill 478, has also been filed by Oliver, which would mandate reimbursement rates at 185% of the Medicare rate and would sunset in 2029. The bills have been assigned to the House Insurance Committee for review.
Rep. Oliver, a former ambulance helicopter pilot, filed a similar bill in 2024 with the same goal of forcing health insurance companies to negotiate. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, the largest health insurance provider in the state, has not commented specifically on the bills but has stated that they remain committed to collaborating with policymakers to satisfy all stakeholders.
The passage of this bill would protect patients from surprise billing for ambulance services and ensure that insurance companies expand coverage for these vital services. The House Insurance Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss the bills on Wednesday at the Alabama State House in Montgomery.
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