This bill aims to enhance regulations surrounding ambulance services in North Dakota by introducing new provisions related to balanced billing and provider reimbursement. It amends section 23-27-04.8 to allow the Department of Emergency Services to regulate primary communication methods for emergency medical services while permitting secondary communications through devices like cell phones. Additionally, the bill establishes a new section that prohibits ambulance service providers from billing more than the cost-sharing amounts a covered individual would owe if they used a participating provider.

Furthermore, the bill creates another new section that mandates direct payment of reimbursements for ambulance services to the service provider or their designee. It specifies that for out-of-network services, insurers must pay the lesser of 250% of the Medicare reimbursement rate or the provider's billed charges, excluding any coinsurance, copayment, or deductible owed by the covered person. The bill also calls for a legislative study on delinquent billing reimbursement for ambulance providers and appropriates $20,000 for consulting services related to this study.

Statutes affected:
Adopted by the House Human Services Committee: 23-27-04.8
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 23-27-04.8
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Roers: 23-27-04.8
Adopted by the Conference Committee: 23-27-04.8
Enrollment: 23-27-04.8