OK EMS officials concerned over bill reducing ambulance reimbursement rates

Yahoo

15-04-2025

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Ambulance services are at the center of a debate at the state capitol.
EMS officials are concerned about a new bill and say if passed, it could threaten emergency services. Supporters argue it's about protecting families from rising insurance costs.
'It puts profits over patients, and that's not the point of health care, that's definitely not the point of EMS,' said Sonia Coleman, director of revenue cycle management, EMSA.
Senate Bill 1067 would take away local control and give it to the insurance companies. Reimbursement rates for ambulance rides would be reduced from 325 percent of Medicare to 275 percent.
This would reverse increases that were approved in a law last year.
'Senate Bill 1067 is a critical step toward ensuring transparency and fairness in ambulance service billing across Oklahoma. By creating a public database for local government ambulance rates and by setting a cap on the administrative out-of-network mandate for ambulance services, the bill will protect Oklahoma families and taxpayers from excessive charges while ensuring the sustainability of our emergency medical response systems.'
Sen. Paul Rosino, (R) Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Families for Affordable Healthcare claims the law that passed last year is driving up premiums by over three dollars per member per month.
'Oklahoma families and small businesses can't afford rising health insurance costs—and SB 1067 is a smart, balanced fix to a law passed last year that set ambulance reimbursement rates far above market norms. SB 1067 preserves protections against surprise ambulance bills while lowering inflated rates that are driving up premiums. Lawmakers should act now to keep coverage affordable across our state.'
Julie McKone, Executive Director, Oklahoma Families for Affordable Healthcare
However, EMS officials say reimbursement rates haven't kept up with rising costs.
'Over the last ten years, we've had an increase in the cost for our fuel, for our equipment, for everyday medical supplies that we use,' said Robin Robinson, vice president, Oklahoma Ambulance Association (OKAMA).
OKAMA says at least ten providers have already closed or scaled back because of financial strain, and fears this bill could keep the trend going.
Robinson is also the director of McClain-Grady County EMS and says these cuts would cost them a full-time position.
'My call volume is increasing. I need more staff; I need more full-time paramedics, and this was going to be a way for me to get that paramedic position paid for. Right now, I don't know if that's going to happen or not,' said Robinson.
Rural areas would likely be the most affected.
'If they are not there, then patients will have to wait probably hours in order to have services or they will have to get in their own car and drive outside of their community in order to have services that they need,' said Coleman.
Senate Bill 1067 has already passed the Senate and will be heard Tuesday in the House Rules Committee, and if it passes, it will then move to the floor.
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