HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania ambulance companies would be reimbursed for providing treatment, even if no transport takes place, under legislation approved by the House and on its way to the governor’s desk, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).
“This is another major step forward in our work to better support the ambulance services we rely upon to help save lives,” said Causer. “As soon as an ambulance leaves the station, there is a cost. When emergency responders arrive on scene and use medications or other equipment to treat a patient, there is a cost. But, under current law, if the patient declines transport to a hospital, the ambulance company receives zero reimbursement for those costs.”
House Bill 1013 would require both private insurers and Medicaid to reimburse for treatment without transport as long as the following conditions are met: The Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit must be dispatched by a county 911 center, and the EMS provider must have rendered emergency services even though the transport was declined.
This is the second major initiative to help ambulance companies approved by the House this year. In June, Causer’s proposal to increase Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance calls was incorporated into the 2018-19 state budget. Under that law, ALS reimbursements are increasing from $200 to not less than $300, and BLS reimbursements are increasing from $120 to $180. The increases will take effect Jan. 1.
“Just a few months ago, emergency responders from across the state joined me and my fellow lawmakers at a Capitol rally calling for action on efforts to address both of these important financial issues,” Causer said. “I am pleased we were able to deliver these necessary measures to help our emergency responders, and I hope the governor will follow suit by signing House Bill 1013 into law.”
Causer has been a vocal advocate for emergency services organizations across the state and particularly for rural fire and EMS services that are struggling with both financial and personnel issues.