Georgia Legislature Passes Bill to Cap Ambulance Ride Costs for Insured Patients
The Georgia General Assembly has passed House Bill 506, known as the 'Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act,' which aims to cap the costs of ambulance rides for insured patients. The bill, which now awaits the signature of Governor Brian Kemp, was passed on the final day of the legislative session. It proposes that the cost of ambulance rides requested by first responders be capped and indexed to a multiple of Medicare rates. This measure ensures that the same copayment, coinsurance, or deductible applies to ambulance rides, regardless of whether the service is within the insurer's network. The ambulance companies would bill the insurance providers directly, alleviating the financial burden on patients. The bill was initially a tobacco cessation measure but was amended to include the ambulance billing language. The Senate passed the measure unanimously, and the House agreed to the changes after passing a similar bill, House Bill 961, which had stalled in the Senate. 
