HLS 18RS-953 REENGROSSED
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 408
BY REPRESENTATIVE JENKINS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Provides relative to reimbursement rates set by local governing
authorities for emergency medical services
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 33:4791.1(B)(2), relative to local governing authorities; to
3 provide relative to regulation of ambulance services, emergency medical services,
4 and aspects attendant to ambulance operation; to provide relative to rates charged for
5 such services; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 33:4791.1(B)(2) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง4791.1. Regulation by local governing authorities of ambulance services,
9 emergency medical services, and aspects attendant to ambulance operation
10 * * *
11 B. Every municipality or other local governing authority may protect the
12 public health, safety, and welfare by licensing, controlling, and regulating by
13 ordinance or resolution privately operated ambulance services, the furnishing of
14 emergency medical services, and any and all aspects attendant to ambulance
15 operations within the jurisdiction of the municipality or other local governing
16 authority. Every municipality or other local governing authority is empowered to
17 regulate the following:
18 * * *
19 (2) Rates charged for the provision of ambulance services, in accordance
20 with federal law relative to medical reimbursement, including emergency medical
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 18RS-953 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 408
1 services. If the rates are set by a municipality or other local governing authority and
2 the ambulance service has not entered into a contract for alternative reimbursement,
3 those rates shall be the minimum allowable charge under any health insurance policy
4 issued by any insurer regulated by the Department of Insurance.
5 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 408 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Jenkins
Abstract: Provides relative to regulation by local governing authorities of ambulance
services, emergency medical services, and aspects attendant to ambulance operation.
Present law authorizes every local governing authority to protect the public health, safety,
and welfare by licensing, controlling, and regulating privately operated ambulance services,
the furnishing of emergency medical services, and any and all aspects attendant to
ambulance operations within the jurisdiction of the local governing authority.
Present law authorizes local governing authorities to regulate rates charged for ambulance
services, in accordance with federal law relative to medical reimbursement, including
emergency medical services. Proposed law provides that if such rates are set by a local
governing authority and the ambulance service has not entered a contract for alternative
reimbursement, those rates shall be the minimum allowable charge under any health
insurance policy issued by any insurer regulated by the La. Dept. of Insurance. Otherwise
retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 33:4791.1(B)(2))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial
and Cultural Affairs to the original bill:
1. Delete proposed provision that if a local governing authority adopts a fee
schedule setting reimbursement rates, that schedule shall be presumed to be the
usual, customary, and reasonable charge in any dispute involving such
reimbursement.
2. Add provision regarding rates charged for ambulance services that are set by a
local governing authority being the minimum allowable charge under any health
insurance policy.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.