May. 15, 2015
HARRISBURG – The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, led by Majority Chairman Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), unanimously approved a bill to allow emergency medical services to bill health insurance companies when an individual receives emergency treatment from an ambulance, but was not transported to the hospital.
Currently, when an ambulance responds to a 911 call and renders emergency medical care and the patient refuses to be transported to a hospital or does not require transport, the ambulance company receives no reimbursement for the services they provided to the individual. A common example would be people who live with diabetes and epilepsy; after receiving care from the emergency services provider, it is rarely necessary for the individual to be transported to the hospital. However, the valuable service that was received remains unpaid.
“At the doctor’s office, urgent care center or hospital, payment for health care services rendered is required, including emergency room visits. Where else in health care can you receive medical attention without paying for it,” Barrar said. “It’s only fair that the ambulance companies receive payment from the insurance companies for the emergency health care they provide and it is even more important that the emergency medical services delivery system that our citizens rely on remain viable.”
A good percentage of ambulance calls received result in the individual declining transport to the hospital; all health care services should be compensated, but the concern is even greater because many ambulance companies are struggling financially and many ambulance companies have already been forced to close.
As
House Bill 339 has passed the committee, it now goes to the full House for consideration.
Representative Stephen E. Barrar
160th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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