Increases individual, group, and Medicaid insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance and wheelchair van services to be equal to reimbursement rates provided by Medicare for the same medical services.
Once enacted, this bill will require all health insurance policies issued or renewed from January 1, 2026, onwards to comply with the new reimbursement structure for ambulance services. This modification will primarily affect statutory sections governing accident and sickness insurance policies, nonprofit hospital service corporations, and other relevant health insurance frameworks. The intent is to alleviate any financial strain on ambulance services that may arise from the lower reimbursement levels currently in place, potentially leading to improved operational viability for these essential services.
House Bill H5772 aims to bring significant changes to the healthcare reimbursement landscape in Rhode Island, specifically focusing on ambulance services. The primary objective of this bill is to amend existing insurance laws to ensure that individual, group, and Medicaid insurance contracts provide reimbursement rates for ambulance services that are equal to those rates offered by Medicare. This change is projected to enhance the financial support available for emergency medical services in the state, ensuring that ambulance providers are adequately compensated for their services, thus improving overall service delivery and accessibility.
Although supporters of H5772 argue that aligning ambulance service reimbursement rates with Medicare's will benefit both service providers and patients, there may be contention regarding the potential financial implications for insurance companies. Some stakeholders might express concerns about whether this could lead to increased insurance premiums. Furthermore, the debate may revolve around the broader impacts on healthcare costs and resource allocation within Rhode Island's healthcare system as it adapts to these changes.