Relating to: coverage and reimbursement of emergency ambulance services under health insurance policies and plans. (FE)

SB 711 requires health insurance plans (including preferred provider plans and self-insured government plans) to cover emergency ambulance services provided by non-participating ambulance providers at specific rates. It mandates payment at the lowest of: (1) a mutually agreed rate, (2) a local government-set rate, or (3) 350% of the Medicare rate for the same area. The bill also requires insurers to pay ambulance providers directly within 30 days for clean claims, prohibits billing patients for extra costs beyond standard copays/deductibles, and excludes air ambulance services from coverage. This directly affects health insurance plans, ambulance providers, and patients receiving emergency ambulance care.