Revision: Dec. 4, 2017, 1:16 p.m.
HB 1782-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2018 SESSION
18-2461.0
01/05
HOUSE BILL 1782-FN
AN ACT relative to insurance payments for ambulance providers.
SPONSORS: Rep. Morrison, Rock. 9
COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires insurers to reimburse ambulance providers directly.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18-2461.0
01/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
AN ACT relative to insurance payments for ambulance providers.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Reimbursement for Ambulance Service Providers. Amend RSA 415:6-q to read as follows:
415:6-q Reimbursement for Ambulance Service Providers. Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance that constitutes health coverage under RSA 420-G:2, IX, and that provides benefits for medically necessary ambulance services shall reimburse the ambulance service provider directly [or by a check payable to the insured and the ambulance service provider] subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, plan, or contract. Nothing in this section shall preclude an insurer from negotiating with and subsequently entering into a contract with a non-participating ambulance provider that establishes rates of reimbursement for emergency medical services.
2 Reimbursement for Ambulance Service Providers. Amend RSA 415:18-v to read as follows:
415:18-v Reimbursement for Ambulance Service Providers. Each insurer that issues or renews any policy of group or blanket accident or health insurance that constitutes health coverage under RSA 420-G:2, IX, and that provides benefits for medically necessary ambulance services shall reimburse the ambulance service provider directly [or by a check payable to the insured and the ambulance service provider] subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, plan, or contract. Nothing in this section shall preclude an insurer from negotiating with and subsequently entering into a contract with a non-participating ambulance provider that establishes rates of reimbursement for emergency medical services.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.
18-2461
12/1/17
HB 1782-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to insurance payments for ambulance providers.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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STATE: | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
Expenditures | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
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COUNTY: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
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LOCAL: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires insurers to pay ambulance providers directly, eliminating the option to pay by check payable to the insured and the ambulance provider. The Insurance Department indicates in current practice, the insurer pays ambulance providers in the insurer’s network directly and those outside of the insurer’s network are paid by check payable. The Department assumes by requiring that all providers be paid directly, negotiating leverage regarding network participation shifts from the insurer to the ambulance provider. As a result, the Department anticipates claims costs may increase impacting premiums, the premium tax base and premium tax revenue by an interminable amount.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) indicates this bill would not impact the Department or its provision of services through the Medicaid program. The Medicaid program includes three components: Fee for Service Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care and the Medicaid Premium Assistance Program. Under all three providers are paid directly at agreed upon rates. The Department believes it is not subject to the provisions of this bill and there would be no impact on DHHS revenue or expenditures.
The Department of Administrative Service indicates this bill would have no impact on the Department’s revenue or expenditures.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Departments of Health and Human Services and Administrative Services, and Insurance Department