Indy Standard

Gov. Eric Holcomb ceremonially signed into law legislation co-authored by State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) to stop Hoosier patients from receiving surprise bills after out-of-network ambulance rides.

Carbaugh explained that individuals can receive large ambulance bills because the service provider was not covered by their insurance. He co-authored House Enrolled Act 1385 to require health insurance companies to reimburse for ambulance services that are not part of a person's coverage plan.

"If you're in an emergency situation, you're likely not thinking about whether the ambulance that's coming is in your network or out-of-network, and understandably so," said Carbaugh, who serves as a member of the House Public Health Committee. "This new law addresses surprise ambulance bills head-on to prevent Hoosiers from being trapped with large debt not covered by insurance, and also ensures providers are fairly compensated for their essential work."

The new law also allows for out-of-network ambulance providers to receive payments from health insurance operators at locally set rates or at a capped rate based on Medicare benchmarks. Previously, there was no set time frame in which an ambulance service must receive payment from health plan providers. Under this new law, service providers must receive payment within 30 days of the claim being filed.

For more information on House Enrolled Act 1385, visit iga.in.gov.