SB 5618: Out-of-network health care

Summary

• Expands the scope of services protected from balance billing to include services provided following an emergency once a patient has been stabilized, a broader set of non-emergency services provided at in-network hospitals or facilities, and air ambulance services.
• Adds behavioral health emergency services as emergency services providers.
• Retains the state dispute resolution process until January 1, 2023, or a later date determined by the Insurance Commissioner, and thereafter, aligns the process with the federal system for independent dispute resolution.
• Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit recommendations on how balance billing for ground ambulance services can be prevented and if ground ambulance services should be subject to the balance billing prohibitions.

From the Senate Bill Report (Orig.) (SB 5618), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗