The bill amends the General Laws to expand emergency medical services (EMS) by allowing approved EMS agencies to transport patients to alternative facilities, such as primary care providers, community health clinics, urgent care facilities, emergency room diversion facilities, and community-based behavioral health facilities. This is contingent on the EMS practitioner's assessment of the patient's need for emergency medical services. Starting January 1, 2025, health insurance contracts must cover transport to these alternative facilities at the same rate as transport to an emergency department. The bill also permits licensed providers to evaluate and treat mental health and substance use disorders in the community, with health insurance required to cover these services at rates not lower than those for traditional office settings, effective from the same date.

Additionally, the bill mandates Rhode Island Medicaid and its contracted managed care entities to provide coverage for transport to the designated alternative facilities and reimburse EMS agencies at rates equivalent to those for transport to an emergency department. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the department of health and the ambulance service coordinating advisory board in administering the mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine program and authorizes the office of the health insurance commissioner to enforce the provisions through necessary regulations. The act is set to take effect upon passage.