Legislation that will require insurance companies and Medicaid to reimburse emergency medical services agencies for services provided when care is rendered, but transport to a hospital does not take place, received final approval today and is headed to the Governor’s desk, according to Senator Don White (R-Indiana), a strong supporter of the bill.
House Bill 1013, as amended by the Senate and concurred on by the House of Representatives, ensures that EMS agencies are properly reimbursed for their services when called out to provide care. Currently, insurance companies and Medicaid are only required to reimburse EMS organizations for services when they include transportation to a hospital.
“Occasionally, EMS crews will respond to a scene to provide treatment, but transportation is unnecessary or refused. In those cases insurance companies and Medicaid can currently deny payment for service,” said Senator White. “That’s just not fair. There are costs incurred and man hours spent by these organizations. House Bill 1013 will ensure those organizations are properly reimbursed for their services.”
Since the bill was amended by the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee — chaired by Senator White — to mirror the language of Senate Bill 1003, the measure was returned to the House of Representatives for concurrence. Prior to the Senate amendment, House Bill 1013 required insurance company reimbursement for non-transport EMS cases, but did not include the Medicaid component.
“The amendment improved the bill by including Medicaid reimbursements,” Senator White said. “That further levels the playing field and provides greater support for Pennsylvania’s EMS crews and the good work that they provide for our citizens.”
SB 1003, a measure introduced by Senator White, was unanimously approved by the Senate on June 6 but did not receive a final vote in the House.
“I don’t care if it’s my bill or the House Bill that gets to the Governor’s desk. This is too important of an issue to fret over whose name is at the top of the bill,” Senator White said. “I have pushed to increase support for Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighters and EMS crews going back to the days when I served as Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee more than 10 years ago. These dedicated men and women are out there serving our communities 24-7. It’s only fair that we recognize and reward that dedication whenever we can.”