S.B. No. 916 aims to enhance consumer protections regarding medical and health care billing practices by emergency medical services (EMS) providers in Texas. The bill introduces new provisions that allow the department to revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew the license or certificate of an EMS provider if it is confirmed that the provider has intentionally submitted incorrect information or has engaged in a pattern of violations of specific sections of the Insurance Code. Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Insurance Code to clarify that political subdivisions may adjust rates submitted under Section 38.006, with the adjustments limited to the lesser of the Medicare Ambulance Inflation Factor or 10 percent of the provider's previous calendar year rates.

The bill also extends the expiration date for certain provisions from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2027. This change applies to multiple sections of the Insurance Code, ensuring that the updated regulations remain in effect for a longer period. The changes introduced by this Act will only apply to emergency medical services provided on or after its effective date, which is set for September 1, 2025. Services provided before this date will continue to be governed by the existing law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 773.061, Insurance Code 38.006, Insurance Code 1271.159, Insurance Code 1275.054, Insurance Code 1301.166, Insurance Code 1551.231, Insurance Code 1575.174, Insurance Code 1579.112 (Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1579, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 1275, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 38, Insurance Code 1301)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 773.061, Insurance Code 38.006, Insurance Code 1271.159, Insurance Code 1275.054, Insurance Code 1301.166, Insurance Code 1551.231, Insurance Code 1575.174, Insurance Code 1579.112 (Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1579, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 1275, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 38, Insurance Code 1301)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 773.061, Insurance Code 38.006, Insurance Code 1271.159, Insurance Code 1275.054, Insurance Code 1301.166, Insurance Code 1551.231, Insurance Code 1575.174, Insurance Code 1579.112 (Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1579, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 1275, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 38, Insurance Code 1301)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 773.061, Insurance Code 38.006, Insurance Code 1271.159, Insurance Code 1275.054, Insurance Code 1301.166, Insurance Code 1551.231, Insurance Code 1575.174, Insurance Code 1579.112 (Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1579, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 1275, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 38, Insurance Code 1301)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 773.061, Insurance Code 38.006, Insurance Code 1271.159, Insurance Code 1275.054, Insurance Code 1301.166, Insurance Code 1551.231, Insurance Code 1575.174, Insurance Code 1579.112 (Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1579, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 1275, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 38, Insurance Code 1301)