Oct. 17, 2018
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) today supported passage of legislation that would require ambulance companies be reimbursed for providing medical treatment, even if the patient is not transported to a hospital.
House Bill 1013 now goes to the governor to be signed into law.
“This bill is especially important for rural areas of the state like ours in the 68th District,” said Owlett. “Our ambulance companies are already operating on extremely lean budgets and must often travel long distances to render emergency care to patients. Without the ability to get reimbursed for the expenses entailed in those emergency calls, our ambulance companies are in danger of having to close their doors.”
Currently, EMS agencies can only be reimbursed by insurance companies if they transport the patient, even though time is spent, supplies are used and services are provided regardless of whether a transport takes place. This is a significant contributor to the financial challenges facing ambulance companies today.
House Bill 1013 would require reimbursement when transport to a facility does not take place as long as the following conditions are met: The Basic Life Support or Advanced Life Support unit must be dispatched by a county 911 center, and the EMS provider must have rendered emergency services even though the transport was declined.
“This is an important issue for ambulance companies in Tioga, Bradford and Potter counties, and I was happy to support the bill’s passage,” said Owlett.
The governor has 10 days in which to take action on the bill.
Representative Clint Owlett
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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