The bill amends the General Laws in Chapter 39-13, "Motor Passenger Carriers," to redefine and clarify terms related to transportation services, including a new definition for "coordinated paratransit services" and specifying that non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is not included under this term. It also adds a new chapter to Title 39, "NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION," which defines terms relevant to NEMT and grants the division of public utilities and carriers the authority to regulate NEMT providers. The bill requires NEMT operators to obtain a certificate of operating authority, with a $125 application fee and an annual renewal fee of $100, and exempts certain services from this requirement. It outlines application hearings, vehicle inspections, driver licensing, and financial responsibility, including a minimum insurance policy coverage.

Furthermore, the bill amends "Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies" to include provisions for emergency medical services transport to alternate facilities, defining terms such as "Basic life support" (BLS) and "Mobile integrated healthcare community paramedicine." It authorizes EMS agencies to participate in a program to divert non-emergency calls to alternative facilities and mandates that from January 1, 2025, health insurance must cover transport to these facilities and reimburse at the same rate as BLS transport to an emergency department. Licensed providers can accompany EMS to treat mental health and substance use disorders in the community, with insurance coverage for these services reimbursed at a rate not lower than traditional office settings. The bill also requires the Department of Health and the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner to establish necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of these provisions.

Statutes affected:
3127  SUB A as amended: 39-13-1
3127  SUB A: 39-13-1
3127: 39-13-1