This bill aims to address the issue of balance billing for ambulance services in New Hampshire. It prohibits balance billing and requires insurers to directly reimburse ambulance providers. The bill also establishes a process for resolving disputes between providers and insurance carriers regarding the reasonable value of ambulance services, with the insurance commissioner having exclusive jurisdiction to determine if the fee is commercially reasonable. The bill requires the insurance commissioner to make a report on the impact of these provisions on health insurance premium rates. The fiscal impact of the bill is uncertain and further study is needed to determine the number of hearing requests that would be received and the impact on ambulance fees and health coverage premiums.

Overall, this bill seeks to regulate the billing and payment for ambulance services in New Hampshire. It limits the fees for ambulance services to a "commercially reasonable value" and applies to both public and private safety agencies. The bill may have an impact on commercial managed care coverage claim costs, which could affect premiums and state premium tax revenues. It may also impact municipal fees for ambulance services and potentially increase municipal revenues. The bill would change the relationship between insurers and providers, potentially requiring municipalities to serve in a mediation role and appeal to the insurance commissioner to resolve payment disputes, resulting in an increase in local expenditures. The Insurance Department and New Hampshire Municipal Association have been contacted regarding this bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 153-A:2, 420-J:7, 415:6-q, 415:18-v