Singleton Sponsors Bill to Improve Ambulance Services for Patients

Alabama Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton has sponsored a piece of legislation that will revolutionize how ambulance services are paid.

Currently, if an ambulance is called and after treatment the person refuses to go to the emergency room, the ambulance service is not paid even if they rendered care on site. Also, if insurance does not cover the cost of the ride, patients received "surprise bills" for the remaining portion.

If SB269 passes the House, beginning January 1, 2027, ambulances will receive payment for treat-in-place care and patients will no longer receive a bill for ambulance services.

"This bill is about trying to make sure that ambulance services are getting adequate reimbursements," said Sen. Singleton, (D-Greensboro).

This bill sets up a pilot program which sunsets in 2029.

"Data will be collected on every run and sent to the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Association of Ambulance Services," said Sen. Singleton.

Although insurance companies will have to pay a higher reimbursement rate, it will save money overall because it should reduce the number of trips to emergency rooms.

"This bill is going to save money for the insurance company because every call does not require a trip to the hospital.

Some people may just be suffering from low blood sugar or an anxiety attack. Now the ambulance can treat the person at the scene and be available for the next call," Sen. Singleton said.

Sen. Singleton, who represents rural Alabama, said that in many cases ambulance services are the only option for emergency care for communities without hospitals, and several have reduced services in these remote areas because of funding.

"This bill includes in-network and out-of-network service, and all the major insurance companies, along with PEEHIP, CHIP, and Medicaid," Sen. Singleton said.

The other major issue that the bill addresses is eliminating personal billing by the ambulance service, because many times people who need emergency help refuse an ambulance ride because they are concerned about the bill.

"There will be no surprise billing. The insurance company will have to pay more and there will be no additional charges for the patient. This bill is going to save lives," said Sen. Singleton.

The Alabama Association of Ambulance Services supports the bill.

"Alabama's EMS system is at a critical point, and SB269 helps stabilize it by supporting innovative care like Treat-in-Place - a model that allows paramedics with a physician's direction to treat low acuity patients on the scene, reducing unnecessary emergency department visits and lowering overall healthcare costs. This bill primarily protects patients from balance billing. Patients should be focused on getting help - not worrying about an unexpected ambulance bill. The legislation raises ambulance reimbursement from one of the lowest rates in the country to a level that remains below many neighboring states, helping keep healthcare costs down while improving ambulance availability when someone calls 911,"

said Eric Pendley, the association's president. "Ultimately, this legislation is about protecting access to emergency care and helping to ensure that when an Alabamian calls 911, an ambulance is available to respond and never have to hear the words 'no ambulance available."

Kirsten J. Barnes is the Communications Director for the Senate Minority Caucus.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.