State lawmakers are pressuring Governor Hochul to approve a bill ensuring direct payment to Ambulance and EMS providers from insurance companies for their services.
This move comes in response to concerns raised by EMS workers about not being compensated due to patients unintentionally retaining health insurance checks, which often get lost among heaps of insurance paperwork.
Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli highlighted the legislation, known as “A250A,” in a recent press conference, emphasizing that the bill aims to alleviate the financial challenges faced by first responders and protect patients from out-of-network medical bills.
Insurance industry representatives argue the bill might disincentivize ambulance companies from joining network agreements, potentially raising costs. However, lawmakers assert the legislation has measures to counteract such issues.
Officials with AMR underscored the significant decline in trained EMS professionals over the past decade, dropping from 80,000 to 70,000, thereby increasing the strain on existing personnel.
Officials from AMR believe the bill, which has passed both legislative chambers unanimously, will not only support EMS operations but also unburden patients from navigating complex insurance documents. The bill now awaits Governor Hochul’s signature.
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