Prohibits hospital from billing patient for inter-hospital medical transport services under certain circumstances.
Impact
This legislation could significantly impact hospital billing practices and patient experiences within the healthcare system. By eliminating patient charges for necessary inter-hospital transport under specified circumstances, the bill seeks to ensure that patients are not discouraged from receiving potentially life-saving medical transport due to cost concerns. It also affirms that hospitals can still bill health benefit plans, thereby establishing a balance between patient protection and hospital revenue streams.
Summary
Senate Bill 4004, introduced in New Jersey, aims to regulate hospital billing practices concerning inter-hospital medical transport services. The bill prohibits hospitals from charging patients for such transport services when no alternative options are clinically appropriate. If a hospital uses its own ambulance or a crew under contract to transport a patient between hospitals, and determines that the patient cannot be safely or appropriately transported by other means, it cannot bill the patient for that service. This is intended to alleviate financial burdens on patients during medical emergencies where alternative transport methods are not viable.
Contention
While the bill is designed to protect patients, it may raise questions about the financial implications for hospitals, particularly regarding the sustainability of their transport services without direct patient billing options. Critics may argue that this could lead to increased costs for hospitals in managing patient transport, which could be passed on in other forms, such as higher overall service fees. Additionally, concerns might arise regarding the definitions and scopes of what constitutes appropriate transport options, which could lead to disputes between patients, hospitals, and insurance providers.
Notable_points
The bill specifies that nonvolunteer first aid and ambulance squads can still bill for transport services in emergencies, especially when responding to 911 calls where they transport patients to the nearest appropriate hospital. This clause distinguishes between different types of transport and billing practices, aiming to streamline procedures during emergencies while also ensuring that essential services remain financially feasible for transport providers.
Emergency medical services; allowing certified emergency medical response agency to provide limited transport under certain conditions. Effective date.