EMS Bill Would Open Reimbursed Path to Crisis and Treatment Centers

What happened:
The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee unanimously approved SB 1403 (Sen. Frank Farry, R-Bucks). The bill would let EMS agencies transport patients to nonhospital drug and alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation centers and other permitted facilities — for example, taking a patient in a mental health crisis to a crisis center instead of an emergency room. Private insurers, Medical Assistance managed care plans, and CHIP plans would have to pay the emergency services rate for those transports.

Why it matters for Pennsylvania nonprofits:
Many EMS agencies and ambulance corps are nonprofits, and the bill would ensure they are paid for treating and transporting patients to the right setting. Nonprofit crisis centers and drug and alcohol treatment providers could see new referral volume and should be ready to discuss capacity with local EMS. The bill now goes to the full Senate.

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Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay