Jozwiak Praises House Approval of Bill to Improve Ambulance Reimbursement Process
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks) on Wednesday voted for a bill approved by the House that could lift a burden off patients and streamline the way ambulance companies are reimbursed when they provide services.
“When ambulances are sent out to provide emergency help, there is a cost associated with that service,” Jozwiak said. “The ambulance companies aren’t always receiving their reimbursements under the current system. This bill would fix that problem.”
Current law requires health care plans to provide coverage for ambulance services.
Health insurance companies often enter into contracts with emergency service providers. If a patient uses one of these “in-network” providers, the insurer will send direct reimbursement to the ambulance company.
If a patient uses an ambulance company that is “out of network” and does not have a contract with the insurer, the insurer sends the reimbursement check directly to the patient. The patient is then responsible for passing the check along to the ambulance company.
“The current system requires patients to act as a middle man in certain circumstances,” Jozwiak said. “The patient has to receive the check from the insurance company and pass it along to the ambulance company.”
The bill approved by the House would allow ambulance companies to choose to receive direct payments from insurers for out-of-network services. In exchange for that convenience, ambulance companies would be prevented from sending bills to patients in an effort to collect the difference between the company’s full price and the amount paid by the insurer.
“This bill could provide more reliable reimbursements for ambulance companies, a simpler system for insurance companies and fewer headaches for patients,” Jozwiak said.
If ambulance companies agree to accept direct reimbursements, patients would only be responsible for paying their copayment, coinsurance or deductible for ambulance rides.
House Bill 347 now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Residents can learn more about Jozwiak at
RepJozwiak.com and can follow him on Facebook at
Facebook.com/RepJozwiak.
Representative Barry Jozwiak
5th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
RepJozwiak.com /
Facebook.com/RepJozwiak